Gerd Folkers
Papers
1
Total Citations
127
H-Index
1
About
Gerd Folkers is a pioneering figure in biochemical engineering and directed evolution, whose work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of enzyme design and antiviral drug development. His research centers on the rational and evolutionary engineering of enzymes, particularly kinases, to enhance their therapeutic potential. Folkers’ most notable contribution is his landmark 1999 study on the directed evolution of thymidine kinase for AZT phosphorylation using DNA family shuffling. This work, cited over 127 times, demonstrated how molecular breeding techniques could dramatically improve the efficiency of an enzyme critical for activating the HIV drug AZT, offering a powerful strategy for combating drug resistance and optimizing prodrug therapies. Beyond this, his research has explored protein engineering, structural biology, and the design of novel biocatalysts, influencing fields from synthetic biology to personalized medicine. As a professor at ETH Zurich and former director of the Collegium Helveticum, Folkers has also been a leading voice in interdisciplinary science, bridging chemistry, biology, and ethics. His legacy lies in showing how evolutionary principles can be harnessed to create tailored enzymes with real-world medical impact.
Research Focus
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