Professor Alison Smith

I’m interested in the biochemistry of microalgae, in particular vitamin and cofactor metabolism. My group works on characterising the biosynthetic pathways for these compounds, how the pathways have evolved and how they are regulated. We use a range of approaches including physiological studies, molecular biology and genomics, and the tools of synthetic biology and systems biology. The knowledge gained from these studies is being used to develop industrial biotechnology platforms for metabolic engineering of high value products in algae. In parallel, studies of symbiotic interactions between algae and bacteria for the exchange of vitamins are providing insights into algal communities in natural ecosystems. To facilitate translation of our scientific discoveries, we set up the Algal Innovation Centre, where we can test scale-up of some of these technologies to allow sustainable exploitation of microalgae, such as for remediation of waste streams and biomass production to increase nutritional value of food and feed. We interact with industry partners to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation in these sectors.

 

 

2017 - 2022  Head of Department, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

2014 - 2015  Acting Head of Department, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

2007 - present  Professor of Plant Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

2001 - 2007  Reader in Plant Metabolism, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

1989 - 2001 University Lecturer, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

1984  -1989 University Demonstrator/Assistant Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Cambridge 

1984 - present  Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge

1984 - present  Head of Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

1983 - 1984  Temporary Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Cambridge

1981 - 1983  Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany, University of Cambridge

1981 - 1981  Promotions Assistant, Academic Press Inc, London

 

1978 - 1981  PhD in Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

1977 - 1978  MPhil Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

1974 - 1977  BSc Biochemistry, University of Bristol

 

Websites

 

 

 

 

 

 

All publications

 

 

2015 - present  Board Member, NIAB

2013 - present  Monitoring Editor, Plant Physiology

2013 - 2014  Editorial Board Member, Journal of Biological Chemistry

2013 - 2014  Member, BBSRC People and Skills Expert Working Group

2012 - 2016  Member of Strategic Advisory Board for EU FP7 Projects GIAVAP and BIOFAT

2012 - 2016  Pool Member, BBSRC Responsive Mode Committees

2011 - present  University of Cambridge Governor, Council of Marine Biological Association of the UK

2011 - 2015  Member, BBSRC Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy Strategy Advisory Panel

2010 - 2013  UK Representative, European Energy Research Alliance

2010 - 2011 Member of Assessment Panel for BBSRC Enhancing Photosynthesis for Increased Productivity 

2008 - 2013  Member of the Strategy Board, InCrops Enterprise Hub, funded by EEDA/ERDA

2007 - present  Co-Editor, New Phytologist

2000 - 2015  Secretary, UK Tetrapyrrole Discussion Group

 

2021  UKRI IMP Panel

2016 - 2021  External Examiner, School of Biosciences, University of Durham

2016 - 2016  Member of Review Panel for Plant Science Centre, University of Copenhagen

2014 - 2014  Search Committee for Plant Sciences Faculty, Plant Sciences Centre, University of Copenhagen

2012  Member of Review Panel of International Max Planck Research School at Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany

1985 - present  External Examiner for 3-4 PhDs and MPhil degrees from UK and overseas universities annually, including University College London, Imperial College London, University of Queensland, Wageningen University, University of Kent, University of Delft and University of Copenhagen

 

2020 - present  Member, VC Financial Strategy Advisory Group

2019 - present  Member, International Strategy Committee

2017 - 2020  Chair, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Syndicate

2016 - 2017  Chair of General Board Teaching and Learning Review Committee, Department of Pathology

2014 - present  Core Member, Cambridge Forum for Sustainability and the Environment

2017 - 2019  Co-Director, Energy@Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre

2013 - 2020  Member, Steering Committee of Energy@Cambridge Interdisciplinary Research Centre

2012 - 2018  Director, Cambridge BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership

2014 - 2015  Faculty of Biology Senior Academic Promotions Committee

2014 - 2015  Chair, Safety Committee, Department of Plant Sciences

2013 - 2014  Chair of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Syndicate

2013 - present  Member of pool of reviewers for University complaint and review procedures

2012 - present  Director of CambPlants, a knowledge-exchange hub for plant science research

2012 - 2013  Chair, Graduate Education Committee, Department of Plant Sciences

2011 - present  Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Syndicate

2011 - 2015  Member of University Energy and Carbon Reduction Project Board

2011 - 2012  Chair of General Board Teaching and Learning Review Committee, Department of Chemistry

2010 - 2015  General Board Representative of Faculty of Physics and Chemistry Senior Academic Promotions Committee

2009 - 2012  Representative of Biological Sciences on Gates Cambridge Trust and Cambridge Overseas/European Trusts

2009 - 2012  Faculty of Biology Senior Academic Promotions Committee

 

• Cambridge Global Food Security Seminar: How our improved understanding of algae is helping develop new sustainable and nutritious ingredients for future kitchens and animal feed, 2021

• Expressing transgenes in Chlamydomonas and Phaeodactylum: A guide to commonly used methods for transformation of their nuclear genomes workshop, 2019

• Cambridge Science Festival event, 2013