How do mobile genetic elements jump? We use biochemistry, structural biology, and microbiology to get mechanistic answers. Projects include the SCCmec element of MRSA and the paradigmatic Mu transposase.
NIH / NIDDK
Bethesda, MD
post-doctoral - Transposition Biochemistry
1997
Yale University
New Haven, CT
PhD - Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry
1992
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
BA - Biochemistry
1986
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors.
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jan 24; 53(3).
PMID: 39907112
Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases.
Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 13.
PMID: 39803483
Variable orthogonality of serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family.
Variable orthogonality of serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family. Sci Rep. 2024 11 01; 14(1):26280.
PMID: 39487291
Structure of TnsABCD transpososome reveals mechanisms of targeted DNA transposition.
Structure of TnsABCD transpososome reveals mechanisms of targeted DNA transposition. Cell. 2024 Nov 27; 187(24):6865-6881.e16.
PMID: 39383864
Flagellar switch inverted repeat impacts flagellar invertibility and varies Clostridioides difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence.
Flagellar switch inverted repeat impacts flagellar invertibility and varies Clostridioides difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 24.
PMID: 39386689
DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes.
DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes. Nature. 2024 May; 629(8011):410-416.
PMID: 38632404
Variable orthogonality of RDF - large serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family.
Variable orthogonality of RDF - large serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family. bioRxiv. 2024 Apr 03.
PMID: 38617232
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut.
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. 2024 Feb 29; 187(5):1206-1222.e16.
PMID: 38428395
Crystal structure of a cap-independent translation enhancer RNA.
Crystal structure of a cap-independent translation enhancer RNA. Nucleic Acids Res. 2023 09 08; 51(16):8891-8907.
PMID: 37548413
Dynamic genetic adaptation of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron during murine gut colonization.
Dynamic genetic adaptation of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron during murine gut colonization. Cell Rep. 2023 08 29; 42(8):113009.
PMID: 37598339
Distinguished Educator in the Basic Sciences
University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division
2015
NSF fellowship
1987
Gannett Newspaper Carrier Scholarship
1982 - 1986