Rate My Professor Jeffrey Nanson

Dr. Jeffrey Nanson is an Honorary Fellow and Lecturer in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, at the University of Queensland. He completed his PhD in 2015 at Charles Sturt University in the laboratory of Professor Jade Forwood, where he investigated proteins involved in bacterial fatty acid synthesis as targets for new antibiotics. During his doctoral studies, Nanson determined 13 protein structures, established techniques for enzyme inhibition studies, and initiated industry collaborations for inhibitor development. After his PhD, he conducted research at The Australian National University before joining Professor Bostjan Kobe's group at the University of Queensland as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 2016 to 2021, followed by a Research Fellow position until 2023.

Nanson's research specializes in structural biology, utilizing protein crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to uncover mechanisms of innate immune signaling. Key contributions include insights into the enzymatic activity of human SARM1 and plant TIR domain proteins, SARM1 activation driving axon degeneration and neuronal cell death, and cyclic signaling molecule production by bacterial NADases. His work has advanced understanding of Toll-like receptor adaptors like MyD88 and SCIMP, as well as TIR domain signaling in immunity and cell death pathways. Representative publications include 'NAD+ cleavage activity by animal and plant TIR domains in cell death pathways' (Science, 2019), 'SARM1 is a metabolic sensor activated by an increased NMN/NAD+ ratio to trigger axon degeneration' (Neuron, 2021), 'Cyclic ADP ribose isomers: Production, chemical structures, and immune signaling' (Science, 2022), 'Structural basis of SARM1 activation, substrate recognition, and inhibition by small molecules' (Molecular Cell, 2022), and 'Structural evolution of TIR-domain signalosomes' (Frontiers in Immunology, 2021). With over 1,600 citations on Google Scholar, Nanson's findings have significantly impacted the field of molecular immunology.