RNA modifications as determinants of chromatin structure and genome stability

Speaker

Alexey Ruzov has long-standing interests in the epigenetic mechanisms of animal development and differentiation. As a PhD student, he took part in identification of a novel zinc finger-containing 5mC-binding protein, Kaiso and, later on, performed postdoctoral training at the University of Edinburgh, MRC Human Genetics Unit and Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

In 2011, Alexey was appointed as a Lecturer (later Associate Professor) in Stem Cell Biology at the University of Nottingham, where he initiated an independent programme in the function and distribution of oxidised forms of 5mC in mammalian stem cells and development.

One of Alexey’s recent projects aimed at examining the abundance of another modification, N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA), in mammalian DNA, rather unexpectedly, led his group to discovery of the presence of its RNA counterpart, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), on RNA/DNA hybrids composing R-loops. These results highlighted m6A as an integral component of R-loops contributing to various aspects of their biology. This work has opened a new avenue for studying RNA modifications as novel determinants of chromatin structure and genome stability.

How to attend

This seminar is being held in person in STEM 3.1 (STEM Centre on Square 1, Colchester campus). You can also watch via Zoom (meeting ID: 925 4561 0277)

If you have any queries about this seminar please email Professor Leo Schalkwyk (lschal@essex.ac.uk).