Following a PhD in cellular immunology with Peter Beverley in London, Professor Drakesmith moved to Oxford to work with Alain Townsend on the function of the HFE gene, mutants of which had recently been identified as causing hereditary haemochromatosis. The sequence and structural similarity of the HFE protein and MHC proteins suggested there are evolutionary and molecular links between immunity and iron metabolism. This theme was reinforced by the subsequent discovery of hepcidin, a small peptide resembling anti-microbial defensins, but which is now considered to be the master hormonal regulator of iron homeostasis. Following a PhD in cellular immunology with Peter Beverley in London, Professor Drakesmith moved to Oxford to work with Alain Townsend on the function of the HFE gene, mutants of which had recently been identified as causing hereditary haemochromatosis. The sequence and structural similarity of the HFE protein and MHC proteins suggested there are evolutionary and molecular links between immunity and iron metabolism. This theme was reinforced by the subsequent discovery of hepcidin, a small peptide resembling anti-microbial defensins, but which is now considered to be the master hormonal regulator of iron homeostasis.

fermentation