Spencer Williams

The Williams laboratory focuses on the design and synthesis of organic small molecules with which to probe biological systems. Our research areas include: the study of pathogen-specific carbohydrate processing pathways in the human pathogens Leishmania spp. (Leishmaniasis), and Mycobacteria spp. (tuberculosis); understanding the mechanisms of action of sulfatases and their inhibition by time-dependent inactivators; mechanism and methodology in sulfonyl group transfer processes; development of antigens for the study of plant cell wall biosynthesis; and the development of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Techniques include: Synthesis of carbohydrates, flavonols, and small molecule therapeutics; and medicinal chemistry. We also have a special interest in conjugation/bioconjugation chemistry, including click chemistry. Kinetic analysis of enzyme mechanism.

Spencer Williams Bio

Spencer Williams obtained his BSc and PhD (under the supervision of Professor Bob Stick) at the University of Western Australia. Following receipt of his PhD in 1998, he was an Izaac Walton Killam Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor Stephen G Withers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, where he worked on glycosidase inhibitors. In 2000 he moved to the USA where he was a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation in the laboratory of Professor Carolyn Bertozzi. Spencer moved to Melbourne as a member of faculty in the School of Chemistry beginning July 2002. His current interests include the application of chemical synthesis, and in particular carbohydrate chemistry, to biological problems, and the development of new therapeutic agents for treatment of cardiovascular disease and fibrosis.

Spencer is the recipient of the 2007 Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne Deans Research Award and the 2005 RACI Divisional Organic Lectureship.