Colloquium Talk

Department of Biochemistry

Thursday, April 16, 2026

3:30pm- 4:30pm

 

Title: Old and New Twists on Cytochrome P450 Oxidation Mechanisms

 

Cytochrome P450 enzymes have major roles in the metabolism of steroids, drugs, carcinogens, eicosanoids, and numerous other chemicals. The P450s are collectively considered the most diverse catalysts known in biochemistry, although they operate from a basic structural fold and catalytic mechanism. The four minireviews in this thematic series deal with the unusual aspects of catalytic reactions and electron transfer pathway organization, the structural diversity of P450s, and the expanding roles of P450s in disease and medicine.

Dr. Guengerich has outlined his research contributions to science spanning the years since 1975, when he began his independent faculty career. In addition to his scientific research, he served as Director of the Vanderbilt University Center in Molecular Toxicology from 1980 to 2011, supported by NIH P30 ES000267, as well as Director of the associated training grant (T32 ES007028) from 1980 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2024. He has been highly active in scientific service and leadership, serving on committees and in leadership roles within numerous professional societies, including ASBMB, ASPET, ACS, AACR, ISSX, and SOT. He chaired the Gordon Research Conference on Drug Metabolism in 1988 and the ISSX North American–ACS Chemical Toxicology Meeting in 1999.

Dr. Guengerich has contributed extensively to NIH peer review, serving on study sections and the NIEHS Council for more than 17 years, in addition to conducting numerous ad hoc reviews. His editorial experience is equally extensive, including membership on multiple editorial boards and service as Associate Editor for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Research, Chemical Research in Toxicology (for 29 years), and the Journal of Biological Chemistry (for 16 years, including 8 years as Deputy Editor and 1½ years as Acting Editor-in-Chief). In recognition of his scientific contributions, he received the AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry in Cancer Research in 2009 and was elected a Fellow in the inaugural classes of the ACS, ASPET, and ASBMB. He also chaired the International Advisory Committee of the International Conferences on Cytochrome P450 (ICCP450) from 1997 to 2023. A list of major awards from these and other societies follows.

Dr. Guengerich’s research has been continuously supported by NIH funding since 1974, with earlier support from 1970 to 1973. Over the course of his career, he has trained 22 graduate students, including 20 Ph.D. recipients, as well as 143 postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and other sectors. In recognition of his mentorship, he has received three mentoring awards from Vanderbilt University, and the School of Medicine postdoctoral training award has been named in his honor.