In 2018 the Colworth Medal was awarded to Matthew Johnson from the University of Sheffield. Matthew is a plant biologist with an interest in photosynthesis and respiration. Matthew’s research focuses on the organization and adaptability of thylakoid membranes, which house several major pigment-protein complexes involved photosynthetic electron transport including photosystem II, cytochrome b6f, photosystem I and ATP synthase. A major accomplishment of this work has been the development and application of affinity-mapping atomic force microscopy, which uses a specially functionalised probe to ‘recognise’ only a specific type of protein in the membrane. Using this new technique, Matthew discovered novel plastoquinone diffusion nanodomains that facilitate electron transport between photosystem II and cytochrome b6f complexes in spinach thylakoid membranes. This discovery explains how plants avoid a diffusion limitation of electron transport in the severely protein crowded membrane, ensuring the efficiency of photosynthesis.

Read Matthew's article published in the Biochemical Journal - Metabolic regulation of photosynthetic membrane structure tunes electron transfer function.

Of winning the Colworth Medal, Matt said “I’d like to thank the Biochemical Society for awarding me this prestigious honour. It is incredibly humbling to be recognised alongside the many great scientists who have previously won the award, including Sir Hans Kornberg, a personal scientific hero of mine. I would also like to acknowledge the inspirational senior scientists who have mentored me and the hardworking students who have supported my work. Without their encouragement and dedication this achievement wouldn’t have been possible.”

Matthew presented his award lecture at the Society conference ‘The Dynamic Cell III’ on 19-21 March 2018 at the Manchester Conference Centre.

The 2017 Colworth Medal was awarded to Markus Ralser (University of Cambridge and the Francis Crick Institute) for his work revolutionising understanding of the origin of cellular metabolism during early evolution and the dynamic nature of metabolism that allows cells to adapt to stress situations. He is a leader in the exploration of the evolution of metabolic pathways, with his description of non­enzymic pathways.

Read Markus' article published in the Biochemical Journal - An appeal to magic? The discovery of a non-enzymatic metabolism and its role in the origins of life.

Markus presented his award lecture at the Society conference ‘Synthetic Biology UK 2017‘ 27 – 28 November  2017 at the Manchester Conference Centre, UK.

The 2016 Colworth Medal was awarded to David Grainger (University of Birmingham) for his research relating to the control of bacterial gene expression by factors that act on a genome-wide scale.  David is a molecular microbiologist who has made an internationally recognized contribution to the understanding of the control of bacterial gene transcription and chromosome organisation. David has played a major part in establishing the field in which he now excels. David’s high productivity has not come from mining a previously well-established seam, but instead has come from his innovative scientific imagination and a willingness to pursue new techniques and ideas.

David Grainger received his medal at the 80th Harden Conference: Machines on Genes IV on 31 July—4 August 2016 at Shrigley Hall Hotel, Macclesfield, UK.

The 2015 Colworth Medal was presented to Dr Helen Walden, a principal investigator at the University of Dundee MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit. Helen Walden is only the third female researcher to receive this accolade in its 52 year history. Helen’s research focuses on the understanding of a critical biological process called `protein ubiquitylation’. This plays a fundamental role in controlling virtually all aspects of biology. Helen has made a series of important discoveries in this research area that are of enormous relevance to better understanding of diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. She has been able to establish a growing international reputation as a leader in the ubiquitylation area and published numerous highly cited research papers in this area. In 2012, Helen also received a highly sought after young investigator award from the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). Helen completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Bath before moving to the University of St Andrews to undertake her doctoral studies. She then completed a postdoc in the laboratory of Dr Brenda Schulman at St Jude Children’s hospital in Memphis before establishing her own research group at the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute at Lincoln’s Inn Fields in 2005. In 2013 Helen moved her laboratory to its current location at the University of Dundee. 

The 2014 Colworth Medal was presented to M. Madan Babu. 

Read his review article published in Biochemical Society Transactions - The contribution of intrinsically disordered regions to protein function, cellular complexity, and human disease 

The 2013 Colworth Medal was presented to Robin May from the University of Birmingham.

Robin presented his Award lecture on 21 February 2013 at Charles Darwin House.

Read Robin's article published in Biochemical Society Transactions - Mechanisms of microbial escape from phagocyte killing