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School of Biological and Chemical Sciences

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  1. School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
  2. Research
  3. Research themes
  4. Chromosome Biology and Cytoskeletal Networks

Chromosome Biology and Cytoskeletal Networks

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Introduction

A microtubule motor protein is important for the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton in the Drosophila female germline. Aberrant
A microtubule motor protein is important for the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton in the Drosophila female germline. Aberrant "blobs" of filamentous actin can be found in oocytes without the motor protein Kinesin-1. Each Z section is colour coded

Our research is focussed upon fundamental cellular processes that underpin normal cellular homeostasis and are perturbed in specific diseases. Our research questions aim to understand the biophysics of cells during development, the role of nutrition and epigenetics in developmental plasticity and determine the mechanisms by which chromosomes are segregated during cell division.

We also exploit the DNA repair capacity of parasites to aid their eradication and determine the fundamental basis of cellular aging and memory. We have expertise using a wide range of model systems including human cells, drosophila, bees, trypanosomes and yeast and interact with a number of industrial partners including Abcam, Imsol, SunRegen and Singer Instruments.

Staff

Researcher Title Department

Research Interests
Caudron, Dr Fabrice Lecturer in Microbiology Biochemistry

Asymmetric cell division, Mnemon/prion, protein aggregation, Cellular memory, Yeast genetics
Draviam, Dr Viji Reader (Associate Professor) Biochemistry

Video Microscopy, Cell division, Cancer Biology, Aneuploidy, Human cell biology
Hurd, Dr Paul Senior Lecturer in Epigenetics Biochemistry

Epigenetics, Genetics, Genomics, Phenotype, Environment
Palacios, Dr Isabel

Lecturer in Cell Biology

 Biochemistry Cell biophysical function of cytoskeletal forces, Proteins during germline development

Subramanian, Dr Lakxmi

 Lecturer in Biochemistry / Physiology  Biochemistry

Centromeres, Chromatin, Chromosome segregation, Kinetochores, Yeast genetics

Thorpe, Dr Peter

 Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry Biochemistry

Yeast genetics, Genomics, Chromosome segregation, Kinetochores
Wilkinson, Dr Shane  Senior Lecturer Biochemistry

Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Drug development, Bioreductive prodrugs, Drug resistance

 

Funding

Our research receives financial support from: 

Publications

Francis D, Chanana B, Fernandez B, Gordon B, Mak T, Palacios IM (2018). YAP/Yorkie in the germline modulates the age-related decline of germline stem cells and niche cells. PLoS One

Wojciechowski M, Lowe R, Maleszka J, Conn D, Maleszka R, Hurd J (2018). Phenotypically distinct female castes in honey bees are defined by alternative chromatin states during larval development. Genome Research

Schlissel G, Krzyzanowski M, Caudron F, Barral Y, Rine J (2017). Aggregation of the Whi3 protein, not loss of heterochromatin, causes sterility in old yeast cells. Science

Drechsler M, Giavazzi F, Cerbino R, Palacios I (2017). Active diffusion and advection in Drosophila oocytes result from the interplay of actin and microtubules. Nature Communications 

Shrestha R, Conti D, Tamura N, Braun D, Ramalingam R, Cieslinski K, Ries J, Draviam V (2017). Aurora-B kinase pathway controls the lateral to end-on conversion of kinetochore-microtubule attachments in human cells. Nature Communications

Berry L, Ólafsson G, Ledesma-Fernández E, Thorpe P (2016). Synthetic protein interactions reveal a functional map of the cell. eLife

Subramanian L, Medina-Pritchard B, Barton R, Spiller F, Kulasegaran‐Shylini R, Radaviciute G, Allshire R, Jeyaprakash A (2016). Centromere localization and function of Mis18 requires Yippee‐like domain‐mediated oligomerization. EMBO Reports