Michael Gajhede
Papers
1
Total Citations
25
H-Index
1
About
Michael Gajhede is a leading structural biologist whose research centers on the molecular mechanisms of carbohydrate-active enzymes, particularly those involved in glycogen and starch metabolism. His major contributions lie in elucidating the three-dimensional structures and catalytic functions of key enzymes, most notably amylosucrase from *Neisseria polysaccharea*. In his highly cited 2006 work, Gajhede provided the first detailed structural insights into how this transglucosidase elongates glycogen without a primer, revealing its unique affinity for glycogen as a glucosyl acceptor. This work, with 25 citations, has been foundational for understanding polysaccharide biosynthesis. Beyond this, Gajhede has made significant strides in characterizing other glycoside hydrolases and transferases, using X-ray crystallography to map substrate binding and catalytic mechanisms. His research has direct implications for biotechnology, including the design of engineered enzymes for starch modification and drug delivery. With a career spanning decades, Gajhede’s structural studies continue to inform both basic glycobiology and applied enzyme engineering, making him a respected figure in the field.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Towards the molecular understanding of glycogen elongation by amylosucrase25 citations · 2006