welcome

Our research

Conflicts between replication forks and single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) and protein-DNA complexes (PDCs) pose a significant hazard to genome stability through their potential to cause fork collapse and failure of complete genome duplication. To counter this threat, a complex network of molecular pathways ensures the timely completion of DNA replication, albeit often at the cost of an increased risk of mutation and genome rearrangement. The comprehensive understanding of these pathways stands as one of the grand challenges in biology, with vast potential for uncovering genetic disease mechanisms and innovative medical advancements.

To contribute to this monumental endeavour, we have developed an experimental system in fission yeast that enables us to investigate encounters between replication forks and distinct types of SSB and PDC located at specific genomic sites. Crucially, our system allows us to directly compare and contrast these various types of replication fork barrier (RFB) within the same experimental framework and at single cell resolution. Using our system we are interrogating current dogma about fork processing and building upon important new observations to address some of the most pressing and central questions about replication fork collapse, repair and restart.

Our work is supported by funding from the BBSRC

(c) Whitby Group 2017

The Whitby Group is part of Department of Biochemistry Oxford University. All information on this website is copyright to Whitby Group unless otherwise stated.