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Professor Edith Sim

Director of Graduate Training, Division of Medical Sciences , University Lecturer, Fellow in Biochemistry
Professor Sim’s current research has arisen from investigation of the molecular basis of different individuals’ responses to environmental chemicals using druginduced immunotoxicity and industrial bladder cancer as model systems. In both of these multi-factorial disorders, polymorphism in metabolism of an environmental chemical by arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) is a key factor. NATs are a unique family of enzymes found in many organisms and form the central theme of her research.

Research Areas

Medical Sciences Division Themes

  • Cell and Molecular Biology
Department Department of Pharmacology
College St Peter's College
Professor Edith Sim

Professor Edith Sim

Professor Sim graduated in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 1973 and carried out her DPhil in the Biochemistry Department in Oxford. From 1976-8 she worked as a Royal Society European Exchange Fellow in Grenoble and returned to Oxford firstly to the Biochemistry Department and then to the Department of Pharmacology in 1983.

Professor Sim is currently a member of the Molecular & Cellular Medicine Board of the Medical Research Council. She also has a special interest in career development of students and contract research staff. Professor Sim’s research (described in over 100 papers) has been funded mainly by The Wellcome Trust (Wellcome Trust Senior Lectureship 1983-1999) but other grants include funding from the Medical Research Council, major medical charities and industrial partners.

Professor Sim’s current research has arisen from investigation of the molecular basis of different individuals’ responses to environmental chemicals using druginduced immunotoxicity and industrial bladder cancer as model systems. In both of these multi-factorial disorders, polymorphism in metabolism of an environmental chemical by arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) is a key factor. NATs are a unique family of enzymes found in many organisms and form the central theme of her research.

Procaryotic NAT In Mycobacteria there is a NAT isoenzyme which affects the growth of mycobacteria and their susceptibility to isoniazid. We are investigating the role NAT plays in mycobacterial growth with a view to using NAT as a target for therapy for tuberculosis. The 3D structures of NAT isoenzymes will help in these studies.

NAT in eucaryotic development N-acetyltransferases are best known as drug metabolising enzymes and are found in liver. Another NAT isoenzyme is expressed early in development. Tracing the pattern of expression is providing information on its possible role in neuronal and other tissues. The NAT enzyme metabolises a breakdown product of folate and this may be involved in its role in neuronal cells.