David L. Williams, PhD, has more than 20 years of experience studying the biochemistry and molecular biology of schistosome parasites, with extensive experience with both in vitro and in vivo methods. He has made numerous important contributions, including the identification of the worm’s major redox enzymes, the central importance and essential nature of thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR) in worm redox biochemistry and the worm’s dependence on peroxiredoxins for H2O2 neutralization.
He conducted the first high-throughput screen against a parasite drug target and identified oxadiazole-2-oxides as potential schistosomicidal compounds. He has contributed to the basic understanding of the catalytic mechanisms and structures of flavoenzymes and peroxiredoxins. Williams has pioneered studies on a novel protein, phytochelatin synthase, involved in detoxification of xenobiotics and heavy metals in parasitic worms. He has also initiated studies on an uncharacterized cytochrome P450 protein in the worm.