Since taking up a
lectureship at Newcastle University in 1985 Gilbert's research has focussed on
enzymes, primarily
glycoside hydrolases, which attack complex
carbohydrates. These enzymes are of considerable biological and industrial importance. Gilbert has used structure-function studies to dissect the contribution of non-
catalytic carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) in targeting enzymes to complex
insoluble structures exemplified by the plant
cell wall, thereby overcoming the access problem. He has extended his studies on carbohydrate binding modules to explore how
glycoside hydrolases are able to select specific
substrates and
modes of action. Using structure-based strategies, he has exploited this fundamental understanding of enzyme specificity to engineer novel catalytic functions into these biological catalysts. , Gilbert has been dissecting the mechanisms of
glycans utilisation by
gut bacteria, in the
human microbiota. His work has led to the presentation of a selfish model for the
metabolism of highly complex carbohydrates by members of this
ecosystem. His work has implications on resource allocation within the human microbiota, which could impact on dietary strategies that maximise the impact of this
microbial ecology on health. From 2008 to 2010 he was appointed an Eminent Scholar in
Bioenergy at the
University of Georgia, in the USA. Gilbert's research has been funded by the
Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC), the
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the
National Science Foundation (NSF), the
United States Department of Energy (DOE), the
National Institutes of Health (NIH), the
Wellcome Trust and the
European Research Council (ERC). ==Awards and honours==