SEMINAR: �The key roles of single stranded DNA repair proteins in controlling genomic stability�

Dr Richard started his research career studying regulation of respiratory genes and proteins in bacteria. During his PhD he developed an interest in how proteins and DNA interact in processes such as DNA replication, repair and transcription. After his PhD at the University of Dundee (Scotland), he went onto the laboratory of Prof Malcolm White at St Andrews University where he continued this interest studying DNA repair systems in archaea isolated from volcanic pools. This work led to the characterization of the Sulfolobus solfataricus single stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) and the subsequent identification of the human SSB homologue (hSSB1), the centre of this talk. Dr Richard moved to Australia in 2004 and joined the research group of Prof Kum kum Khanna at QIMR prior to being awarded an ARC Future Fellowship (2010) and initiating his own research group at the Queensland University of Technology in 2011.

Dr Richard has studied DNA protein transactions in all three domains of life. He has published his works in prestigious journals such as Nature, Genes and Development, PNAS and the Journal of Cell Science. He has also patented and licensed some of his discoveries, with his latest work now resulting in the initiation of a Stage III clinical trial.