John Honek

• Bionanomaterials
• Medicinal chemistry
• Enzymology
• Bioorganic chemistry
• Protein structure and function

John Honek's group works at the interface of chemistry and biochemistry. They apply chemical and biochemical principles and techniques to the problems of protein structure/function as well as to elucidate the chemical mechanisms of several key enzymes, some of which have medical importance.

Organic chemistry (organic synthesis of novel biophysical probes and enzyme inhibitors and protein chemical modification techniques), physical chemistry and molecular modeling are being applied to complex protein structures. His group makes use of biochemical techniques such as recombinant DNA methodologies (PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, protein engineering, etc), microbiology (for protein expression) and protein purification.

John Honek teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Course offerings have included topics in biochemistry, molecular medicine, metabolism and enzymology.

Recent publications include

• J. F. Honek (2015) Glyoxalase Biochemistry. Biomolecular Concepts, 6, 401-414 (INVITED)
• C. L. Myers, E. G. Kuiper, P. C. Grant, J. Hernandez, G. L. Conn, and J. F. Honek (2015) Functional Roles in S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine Binding and Catalysis for Active Site Residues of the Thiostrepton Resistance Methyltransferase. FEBS Letters, 589, 3263-3270
• J. F. Honek (2015) Biological Chemistry of the Carbon-Sulfur Bond. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 93, 1051-1060 (INVITED)
• Suttisansanee, U., Ran, Y., Mullings, K. Y., Sukdeo, N., and John F. Honek (2015) Modulating Glyoxalase I Metal Selectivity by Deletional Mutagenesis: Underlying Structural Factors Contributing to Nickel Activation Profiles, Metallomics, 7, 605-612 (INVITED)
• Bythell-Douglas, R., Suttisansanee, U., Flematti, G. R., Challenor, M., Lee, M., Panjikar, S., Honek J. F. and Bond C. S. (2015) The Crystal Structure of a Homodimeric Pseudomonas Glyoxalase I Enzyme Reveals Asymmetric Metallation Commensurate with Half-of-Sites Activity. Chemistry - A European Journal, 21, 541-544

• Outstanding Performance Award, 2017
• Canadian Society for Chemistry Bernard Belleau Award, 2014
• Ron Brown Lectureship, Dept. of Chemistry, McGill University, 2010
• University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award, 2010
• University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award, 2004
• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, MIT, USA, 1984-85
• Quebec (FCAC) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, MIT, USA, 1983-84
• NSERC Postgraduate Research Scholarships, McGill University, 1977-81
• Quebec Postgraduate Research Scholarship, McGill University, 1979-80
• McGill University Undergraduate Scholarships, 1973-77

• Member of the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology
• Member of the Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Member of the Water Institute
• Member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
• Member of the Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research 

• Associate Member, Synthesis Sub-committee IUPAC Organic and Biomolecular Division III, 2013-present
• Consulting for 4th year nanoengineering and Velocity Science research project students that included input on their potential research projects, as well as potential student spinoff companies, 2013-present
• Board of Directors, Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology, UW, 2013-2016
• Scientific Advisory Board, Stem Cell & Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI), McMaster University, 2012-2016
• Scientific Advisory Committee, Ontario Consortium for Regeneration Inducing Therapeutics (OCRiT), 2011-2016
• (GWC)2 Coordinating Committee, 1998-2014
• Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, 2007-14
• Nanotechnology Engineering Program Executive Board, 2007-14
• Chemistry Department and Nano Executive Committees, 2007-14
• Senate Honorary Degree Committee, 2009-10
• Executive Committee, Board of Governors, University of Waterloo, 2009-10

The following news story features John Honek's research:

• January 6, 2014:  Prof. John Honek wins national chemistry award

1984 Ph.D. Organic Medicinal Chemistry, McGill University, QC

1977 B.Sc. Honours Chemistry, McGill University, QC