Janet Thornton

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Janet Thornton is a prominent British scientist known for her significant contributions to the field of bioinformatics and structural biology. She has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of protein structure and function, and her work has had a profound impact on computational biology.

Early Life and Education

Janet Thornton was born in England. She pursued her undergraduate studies in physics at the University of Nottingham. She later completed her PhD in biophysics at the National Institute for Medical Research in London.

Career

Thornton's career began with a focus on the structure and function of proteins. She has held various academic and research positions, including a professorship at University College London (UCL). In 2001, she became the director of the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), a part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).

Research Contributions

Thornton's research has primarily focused on the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their evolution. She has developed several computational tools and databases that are widely used in the field of bioinformatics. Her work on protein domains, enzyme mechanisms, and protein-ligand interactions has been particularly influential.

Awards and Honors

Janet Thornton has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and has been recognized with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to bioinformatics.

Personal Life

Thornton is known for her dedication to mentoring young scientists and promoting women in science. She continues to be an active researcher and a prominent figure in the scientific community.

See Also

• Bioinformatics
• Structural biology
• Protein structure
• European Bioinformatics Institute
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory