A recent inaugural lecture at Rhodes University showed that, among other noteworthy findings, superoxide dismutase (SOD) is responsible for ‘mopping’ up superoxide radicals that are formed in everyday living. Excessive superoxide radicals can lead to oxidative stress and premature ageing.
Professor Chris Whiteley, a professor and lecturer in the Department Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, covered the highlights of his life’s work and expounded upon his current concerns. The lecture, Trojan Horses, Queens Messengers and Iron Maidens: Biochemical Weaponry, used historical and philosophical notions to explain complex biochemical concepts.
Prof Whiteley started his lecture by reminding the audience that, according to Greek mythology, the Greeks gave a giant wooden horse to the Trojans as a peace offering. The Trojans dragged the horse inside their city walls. Greek soldiers sneaked from the horse's hollow belly and opened the city gates to allow their compatriots to pour in and capture Troy, “This,” he explained, “is how biochemical weaponry works”.
As a prolific researcher of impeccable credentials whose prominent work places him firmly at the top of his field, Prof Whiteley has continued to interrogate other biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine as well as environmental research concepts using sophisticated particle modelling computer technology.
Whiteley, who was born in Manchester in the United Kingdom, grew up in Zimbabwe following the relocation of his family to what was then called Southern Rhodesia in 1953. He studied science at the then University of the Natal obtaining an MSc in 1971 and a PhD in 1976.
He accepted a postdoctoral scholarship at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada where he engaged in environmentally important research on sulphur-containing enzymes. This research was later expanded upon during his time at Rhodes.
He has travelled and taught extensively in the Far East where he held visiting professorships at the Biomedical Institute of Yang Ming University, Taipei; the Department of Chemical Engineering at the National Taiwan University, Taipei and the School of Bioengineering at the South China University of Technology.
Most recently he has garnered acclaim by being the first Western academic to hold a full professorship at the South China University of Technology, where in 2008 he worked as International Professor of Enzymology. He has held lecturer positions in South Africa, China and the UK.
Whiteley holds a staggering number of prominent positions and sits on numerous important boards. Some of his many notable titles include: Strategic Manager of Metagenomics at the University of the Free State as well as chairperson of the Rhodes University Sports Council.
At Rhodes Whiteley was responsible for nurturing the School of Biochemistry into the world-renowned establishment which it is known as today. He was Head of Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Biotechnology from 2001 - 2004, after which he attained a full professorship.
He has graduated six PhD and 18 MSc students and is currently working closely with several PhD candidates.
Prof Whiteley is at the forefront of specialised research around neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A leading enzymologist, Whiteley’s research centres not only on the potential of enzymes as potential biomedical targets for various neurodegenerative and infectious diseases but in the bioremediation of industrial wastewaters. He is currently the project leader in a multimillion rand research thrust with Stellenbosch University.