Timothy Durrett

Timothy Durrett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Kansas State University. He has been with the university for over 13 years, currently serving as the Director of Graduate Studies. His research primarily focuses on the biochemistry of triacylglycerol biosynthesis and the structure and function of membrane-bound acyltransferases.

Education and Research

Durrett earned his A.B. from Harvard University in 1999. His laboratory employs modern biochemical and genomic techniques to explore the synthesis of triacylglycerols in seeds, particularly through the characterization of a novel acyltransferase known as EaDAcT (Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase). This enzyme is notable for its role in producing a unique, reduced-viscosity oil found in the seeds of the Burning Bush plant, which has potential applications in industrial and biofuel sectors.12

Selected Publications

Durrett has contributed significantly to scientific literature, with notable publications including:

• A study on the comparative transcriptional profiling of developing oilseeds.
• Research on increasing energy density in vegetative tissues by redirecting carbon from starch to oil biosynthesis in transgenic plants.
• An analysis of acyl fluxes through multiple pathways of triacylglycerol synthesis in developing soybean embryos.13

Professional Engagement

In addition to his teaching and research roles, Durrett is active in presenting his findings at various conferences and seminars, enhancing the academic community's understanding of lipid metabolism and its implications for agriculture and biofuels.5

For more detailed insights into his professional background, you can view his LinkedIn profile under the username timothydurrett.4