Investigating DNA's Mysterious Structures (WALLER_U17DTP1)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
Think you know the structure of DNA? Think again. It is often assumed that DNA exists only as the iconic Watson-Crick "twisted ladder" double helix; but it can actually adopt many different types of structures. These "alternative" structures may play a role in gene expression (whether genes are switched on or off) and also in the development and progression of genetic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Compared to the double helix, much less is known about these structures, how and when they may form in the genome. Potentially, targeting these alternative DNA structures could allow for specific therapeutics for genetic diseases.
Further Reading:
1) Brooks, TA et al. Making sense of G-quadruplex and i-motif functions in oncogene promoters FEBS J. 2010, 17, 3459.
2) Day, HA et al. i-Motif DNA: structure, stability and targeting with ligands. Bioorg Med Chem. 2014, 16, 4407.
Further Reading:
1) Brooks, TA et al. Making sense of G-quadruplex and i-motif functions in oncogene promoters FEBS J. 2010, 17, 3459.
2) Day, HA et al. i-Motif DNA: structure, stability and targeting with ligands. Bioorg Med Chem. 2014, 16, 4407.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Zoë Ann Ella Waller (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Summer Rosonovski (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1937548 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/11/2021 | Summer Rosonovski |
| Title | DNA Structure Board Game |
| Description | I am developing a board game that demonstrates the different structures DNA can form. There is a easy and advanced version of the game to appeal to larger audiences. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Impact | It is planned to be taken to Norwich Science festival and the Norwich Gaming festival. |
| Title | Visual Abstract |
| Description | A graphic abstratc rather than a written one. Is used to describe my PhD in a visual manner to ALevel students/Univeristy students. |
| Type Of Art | Image |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | The product is used to visually show an introduction to i-motif DNA, it has been used at open days and will be used at different outreach events. The images on the visual abstract are also used in talks/posters I produce. |
| Description | UEA Travel Award |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of East Anglia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 10/2018 |
| Description | BIONIC Flash Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I gave a Flash Presenation, which is similar to a 3 minute thesis, to the non-canonical nucelic acid field. This talk aimed to show my work of and spark discussions with other researchers in the field. My talk was successful as it had the impact intended and consequently I had a variety of discussions with different experts about my research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | NRPDTP Promotional Video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I was an actress as well as voice over for the NRPDTP promotional video that aimed to show students why they should come and join the PhD programme in Norwich. It has been shared on social media and is reaching different audiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH_fmWD692s&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | NRPDTP Summer Conference Organiser 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I am inovlved in organsing the NRPDTP Summer Conference this has been building my soft skills. My roles have inovloved using my network to invite speakers to come and talk at the conference, organise how the day will run, organise a workshop, and I will also be involved in setting up before the day and the running of the event on the day. This event aims to give current NRPDTP students the opportunity to interact with their collegues, see eachothers research which can spark dicussions and collaborations, develop their soft skills through workshops, and expose them to some experts in a variety of feilds that have been invited to speak. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Norwich Science Festival: DNA Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Inolved in running a DNA workshop where children made DNA using sweets. The activity sparked discucssions about: what is DNA, its role, structure and what my PhD is about. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Norwich Science Festival: Pharmacy Stall |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Explored drug molecules: structures, modes of action, binding to target, side effects, why they are useful, how we identify new ones. The deveoloped the publics understanding of what a pharmacist does as well as a better understanding of how drugs are developed and how they work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | PIPS Acitivty Showcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I wrote my story about my PIPS placement experiwne so it could be used on the ACACIA (https://acaciaafrica.org/) website as promotional material. This aimed to encourage other students to work with ACACIA and do a placement through them. It was successful as I had other postgraduates message me to ask for futher information and how they get involved. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://acaciaafrica.org/summers-pips-at-pwani-university/ |
| Description | Pint Of Science Organsier |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I am currently an event manager for the Pint of Science 2020 in Norwich. The purpose of this is to improve my soft skills as to provide a platform for researchers and the general public to interct and discuss science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/city/norwich |
| Description | Postgraduate Conference Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I presented my PhD work for a generic postgraduate audience. This was to inform postgraduates from UEA about my research: what I am doing, why am I doing it, the impact of my work, and the bigger picture for the field itself. Following the talk I was asked questions by the audience which sparked some discussions during the break. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Spectroscopy in a Suitcase |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I have led multiple Spectroscopy in a Suitcase events for the Royal Society of Chemistry. I give a breif interactive introduction using powerpoint to start the workshops and introduce spectroscopy as well as describe its real life uses. Then this is followed up by running a workshop using UV or IR depending on the age group. I assisit the students to work through the questions and teach them how to use UV and IR equipment, they then run the experiments required for the specific workshop to get their answers. Its very hands on and can easily be adapted to the needs and abilities of the group. This activity goes above the students syablus and enhances their understanding of whats required for their exams. It provides a unquie opportunity to use equipment schools don't have access to and a hands on learning experience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| URL | https://edu.rsc.org/enrichment/spectroscopy-in-a-suitcase |