Molecular mechanisms responding to DNA damage and replication stress at the replication fork

During organism development, cells undergo cycles of division to form new cells. This involves copying the cell's DNA, to ensure new cells contain a complete copy of the genetic material. Martin is interested in understanding how this copying process occurs when the DNA is damaged and what mechanisms cells use to prevent mutations arising. Martin will work with Dr Joe Yeeles (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) to study these processes using newly developed yeast biochemical systems. He will then test whether similar mechanisms exist in human cells, using state-of-the-art gene editing and single-molecule analysis of the DNA copying machinery with Professor John Rouse (University of Dundee).