Howard Dalton Centre

About the HDC

The Sir Howard Dalton Centre (HDC) for Translational Mechanistic Enzymology was established within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick in 2022, thanks to a generous donation from our alumnus, Dr. David Stirling. The Centre is dedicated to advancing research aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – one of the foremost global public health and development threats.

Aims of the Centre:

1. Conduct interdisciplinary and cross-scale mechanistic enzymology research on bacterial cell walls, utilizing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches, with a focus on translating findings to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
2. Retain and develop expertise at Warwick, serving as a hub for training the next generation of researchers both nationally and internationally.
3. Foster closer collaborations with industry and engage in joint research with other centres of excellence in antimicrobial research and AMR science policy, to promote translational research.
4. Establish the Centre as an internationally recognized leader in AMR-focused mechanistic enzymology, grounded in the excellence of its research, training, and impact.

Discover more about the centre and about our approaches to research

HDC Researchers

Scientific Advisory Panel

Co-directors: Chris Dowson: Phill Stansfeld:

News

• Professor Dowson provided an intervention during the United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Hearing in May 2024 Request to Member States(51:15)
• £1.5m donation from the GB Sasakawa foundation driving joint antimicrobial resistance research in the UK and Japan. Press Release

Publications

Fri 28 Feb '25

Antimicrobial triazinedione inhibitors of the translocase MraY–protein E interaction site: synergistic effects with bacitracin imply a new mechanism of actionLink opens in a new window

Mon 03 Feb '25

Partitioning of fatty acids between membrane and storage lipids controls ER membrane expansionLink opens in a new window

Mon 11 Nov '24

Complement-mediated killing of Escherichia coli by mechanical destabilization of the cell envelopeLink opens in a new window

Event

THE FUTURE OF ANTIBIOTICS - New Partnerships for Antibiotic Discovery (4-5 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan)

HDC convened a high level workshop with NCGM to explore UK Japan collaboration to tackle AMR discovery and training with policy in the context of future pandemic preparedness.

Japan-UK workshop overview

The videos addressing these issues from different perspectives are available below.

1 Policy /2 Research/3 Government/

4 International collaboration.

Launch of the Centre

On Thursday 20 October 2022, a launch event was held for the Sir Howard Dalton Centre for Translational Mechanistic Enzymology at the University of Warwick. The event was attended by Dr David Stirling, his former classmates, Sir Howard’s family and former colleagues and members of the antimicrobial resistance research community. Press release

Benefactors

The University of Warwick will be pleased to discuss a range of recognition opportunities to celebrate donations to build upon antimicrobial research at Warwick, and to train the next generation of researchers. If you would like to find out more information or discuss these opportunities further please contact us via or visit our contact page.