Purification and characterisation of a novel dominant initiation factor for chromosomal DNA replication
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Zoology
Abstract
Development and sustainability of a healthy multicellular organism depends on the accurate and well-controlled replication of its genome, in each cell each time before it divides. It is therefore of vital importance for human and animal health that underlying molecular mechanisms are in place, ensuring that DNA replication occurs only at the right time and place. The purpose of the proposed research is to characterise a novel molecular mechanism that regulates DNA replication during early vertebrate development.
The regulation of DNA replication changes drastically during early development in vertebrate organisms. The best understood model organism for this regulation is the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. After a Xenopus egg is fertilised, it replicates its DNA rapidly during twelve short division cycles, and without any preference where to start. In fact, DNA replication starts already on individual chromosomes in mitosis. Extracts prepared from activated eggs recapitulate this regulation and replicate very rapidly any DNA that is added experimentally. After the initial twelve short division cycles, the embryo undergoes a transition (called the mid-blastula transition, or MBT) when DNA replication becomes more restrictively controlled. DNA replication is now separated from mitosis during the cell division cycle by distinct gap phases, and it initiates with a preference for particular chromosomal sites.
The applicant's group has recently shown that a rather unusual factor becomes essential for the initiation of DNA replication at MBT in Xenopus and in zebrafish. This factor is not a protein, but a non-coding RNA termed Y RNA. Degradation of Y RNA has no effect on DNA replication before MBT at all, while in contrast, embryos without functional Y RNA spectacularly fail to replicate their DNA after MBT and die.
The objective of this research project is to understand how DNA replication can initiate before MBT without requiring Y RNA function. Results from unpublished pilot experiments have established that there is a dominant initiation factor present in eggs and early embryos that overrides the requirement of Y RNAs for DNA replication in a dominant manner. The identity of this factor is unknown.
The research proposed here is aimed at identifying and characterising this new and dominant initiation factor. In this project, we have three main objectives. (I) Purification. We will first purify this initiation factor from Xenopus egg extracts by standard chromatography techniques. We will monitor its activity in a reconstituted cell-free system for the initiation of DNA replication, which has been depleted of Y RNA function and thus depends on this novel factor. (II) Identification. Once purification has been achieved successfully, we will identify the dominant initiation factor by mass spectrometry. We will also identify the closest human relatives of this new factor. (III) Characterisation. The project will go two parallel ways here. On the one hand, we will characterise the normal biological function of this initiation factor in developing early Xenopus embryos. We will examine how much of this factor is present at key stages of embryo development. We will analyse how its activity is regulated at key stages, in particular around the MBT. On the other hand, we will also characterise the homologous protein in human cells. We will investigate whether or not it is present in a panel of human cells, including normal, senescent and cancer cells. We will express this factor in cells lacking this factor, and turn its expression off in those cells that express it. The aim is to investigate if this factor plays a role in normal human somatic cells, and to investigate the consequences for DNA replication and cell proliferation if this factor becomes activated at the wrong time and place.
The regulation of DNA replication changes drastically during early development in vertebrate organisms. The best understood model organism for this regulation is the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. After a Xenopus egg is fertilised, it replicates its DNA rapidly during twelve short division cycles, and without any preference where to start. In fact, DNA replication starts already on individual chromosomes in mitosis. Extracts prepared from activated eggs recapitulate this regulation and replicate very rapidly any DNA that is added experimentally. After the initial twelve short division cycles, the embryo undergoes a transition (called the mid-blastula transition, or MBT) when DNA replication becomes more restrictively controlled. DNA replication is now separated from mitosis during the cell division cycle by distinct gap phases, and it initiates with a preference for particular chromosomal sites.
The applicant's group has recently shown that a rather unusual factor becomes essential for the initiation of DNA replication at MBT in Xenopus and in zebrafish. This factor is not a protein, but a non-coding RNA termed Y RNA. Degradation of Y RNA has no effect on DNA replication before MBT at all, while in contrast, embryos without functional Y RNA spectacularly fail to replicate their DNA after MBT and die.
The objective of this research project is to understand how DNA replication can initiate before MBT without requiring Y RNA function. Results from unpublished pilot experiments have established that there is a dominant initiation factor present in eggs and early embryos that overrides the requirement of Y RNAs for DNA replication in a dominant manner. The identity of this factor is unknown.
The research proposed here is aimed at identifying and characterising this new and dominant initiation factor. In this project, we have three main objectives. (I) Purification. We will first purify this initiation factor from Xenopus egg extracts by standard chromatography techniques. We will monitor its activity in a reconstituted cell-free system for the initiation of DNA replication, which has been depleted of Y RNA function and thus depends on this novel factor. (II) Identification. Once purification has been achieved successfully, we will identify the dominant initiation factor by mass spectrometry. We will also identify the closest human relatives of this new factor. (III) Characterisation. The project will go two parallel ways here. On the one hand, we will characterise the normal biological function of this initiation factor in developing early Xenopus embryos. We will examine how much of this factor is present at key stages of embryo development. We will analyse how its activity is regulated at key stages, in particular around the MBT. On the other hand, we will also characterise the homologous protein in human cells. We will investigate whether or not it is present in a panel of human cells, including normal, senescent and cancer cells. We will express this factor in cells lacking this factor, and turn its expression off in those cells that express it. The aim is to investigate if this factor plays a role in normal human somatic cells, and to investigate the consequences for DNA replication and cell proliferation if this factor becomes activated at the wrong time and place.
Technical Summary
In pilot experiments we have discovered a novel dominant DNA replication initiation factor in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. The activity of this factor overrides the requirement of non-coding Y RNAs for the initiation of DNA replication, which is present in somatic vertebrate cells. The activity of this factor can be assayed by its ability to initiate DNA replication in isolated late G1 phase human template nuclei in vitro in the presence of Y RNA-depleted human cell extract.
The fist objective is to purify this initiation factor from Xenopus egg extracts to homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC).
The second objective is to identify this purified factor by nanoflow LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry. Database searches will allow identification of the closest human homologues. We will obtain antibodies against the Xenopus and human versions of this factor and validate the mass spectrometry results by Western blotting.
The third objective is to functionally characterise this initiation factor. We will initially determine if and how expression, intracellular localisation and activity of this dominant initiation factor are regulated during early development in Xenopus laevis. We will then investigate the role of the human homologue of this initiation factor in the regulation of DNA replication in human cells. If we find that the initiation factor is expressed in some established cell lines, we will deplete it by RNA interference and investigate the consequences on DNA replication and cell proliferation. We will also generate expression constructs for the dominant initiation factor and over-express it in those human cell lines, in which it is not expressed endogenously. We will then analyse by BrdU or EdU pulse-labelling, confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry if DNA replication is deregulated under these conditions.
In summary, we will characterise a new dominant pathway for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in vertebrates.
The fist objective is to purify this initiation factor from Xenopus egg extracts to homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC).
The second objective is to identify this purified factor by nanoflow LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry. Database searches will allow identification of the closest human homologues. We will obtain antibodies against the Xenopus and human versions of this factor and validate the mass spectrometry results by Western blotting.
The third objective is to functionally characterise this initiation factor. We will initially determine if and how expression, intracellular localisation and activity of this dominant initiation factor are regulated during early development in Xenopus laevis. We will then investigate the role of the human homologue of this initiation factor in the regulation of DNA replication in human cells. If we find that the initiation factor is expressed in some established cell lines, we will deplete it by RNA interference and investigate the consequences on DNA replication and cell proliferation. We will also generate expression constructs for the dominant initiation factor and over-express it in those human cell lines, in which it is not expressed endogenously. We will then analyse by BrdU or EdU pulse-labelling, confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry if DNA replication is deregulated under these conditions.
In summary, we will characterise a new dominant pathway for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in vertebrates.
Planned Impact
Who might benefit from this research?
The proposed research is a tightly focused fundamental project in molecular cell and developmental biology. It exploits our recent observation of a novel dominant initiation factor for vertebrate DNA replication and aims to purify, identify and functionally characterise it in vertebrate embryos and human cells. We will be able to meet these goals within the three years allocated for this project. The most obvious and immediate beneficiaries of this research are scientists and their students working in the related fields. The applicant has described this academic impact in the academic beneficiaries section and the case for support of this application. Importantly, however, this research will open up new avenues of subsequent translational work beyond the duration of this project, which has the potential for wider economic and societal impact.
The proposed basic research will lead to the identification of a novel dominant initiation factor for chromosomal DNA replication in vertebrates. It is very likely that the uncontrolled expression of this factor in cells that are not programmed to divide, can lead to untimely replication and cell proliferation. This loss of normal control is a hallmark of cancer. Our basic knowledge of this factor and our understanding of its function in healthy cells and organisms (as generated by this proposed research) will therefore aid, facilitate and guide future translational research to exploit this factor as a novel potential cancer biomarker and target for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, the basic bioscience research proposed here will have an impact on pharmaceutical design and development beyond the duration of this project, and will thus benefit translational scientists, clinicians and their patients.
During this research project, we will also secure potential intellectual property protection and file relevant patent applications where appropriate. The future exploitation of the basic results from this proposed research will include the potential generation of new cancer biomarkers and therapeutic anti-cancer treatments. These developments have clear potential for commercialisation, and potential to attract further R&D investment. Therefore, this work may also benefit the economy.
Cancer is a disease that affects a large proportion of the human population. Any contribution, through basic research, towards the development and improvements of cancer detection and treatment will therefore also have a long-term impact on society by improving health and well-being.
How might they benefit from this research?
The impact of the proposed research outlined above will reach the potential societal and economic beneficiaries indirectly. The first step will be the provision, publication and wider dissemination of our original research results to make them accessible (as detailed in the pathways to impact document). This extension of relevant fundamental biomedical knowledge may then stimulate new research initiatives into further translational and clinical projects, and spin off commercialisation projects exploiting the obtained results.
The proposed research is a tightly focused fundamental project in molecular cell and developmental biology. It exploits our recent observation of a novel dominant initiation factor for vertebrate DNA replication and aims to purify, identify and functionally characterise it in vertebrate embryos and human cells. We will be able to meet these goals within the three years allocated for this project. The most obvious and immediate beneficiaries of this research are scientists and their students working in the related fields. The applicant has described this academic impact in the academic beneficiaries section and the case for support of this application. Importantly, however, this research will open up new avenues of subsequent translational work beyond the duration of this project, which has the potential for wider economic and societal impact.
The proposed basic research will lead to the identification of a novel dominant initiation factor for chromosomal DNA replication in vertebrates. It is very likely that the uncontrolled expression of this factor in cells that are not programmed to divide, can lead to untimely replication and cell proliferation. This loss of normal control is a hallmark of cancer. Our basic knowledge of this factor and our understanding of its function in healthy cells and organisms (as generated by this proposed research) will therefore aid, facilitate and guide future translational research to exploit this factor as a novel potential cancer biomarker and target for therapeutic intervention. Therefore, the basic bioscience research proposed here will have an impact on pharmaceutical design and development beyond the duration of this project, and will thus benefit translational scientists, clinicians and their patients.
During this research project, we will also secure potential intellectual property protection and file relevant patent applications where appropriate. The future exploitation of the basic results from this proposed research will include the potential generation of new cancer biomarkers and therapeutic anti-cancer treatments. These developments have clear potential for commercialisation, and potential to attract further R&D investment. Therefore, this work may also benefit the economy.
Cancer is a disease that affects a large proportion of the human population. Any contribution, through basic research, towards the development and improvements of cancer detection and treatment will therefore also have a long-term impact on society by improving health and well-being.
How might they benefit from this research?
The impact of the proposed research outlined above will reach the potential societal and economic beneficiaries indirectly. The first step will be the provision, publication and wider dissemination of our original research results to make them accessible (as detailed in the pathways to impact document). This extension of relevant fundamental biomedical knowledge may then stimulate new research initiatives into further translational and clinical projects, and spin off commercialisation projects exploiting the obtained results.
People |
ORCID iD |
Torsten Krude (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Kowalski MP
(2015)
Functional roles of non-coding Y RNAs.
in The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology
Langley AR
(2016)
Genome-wide identification and characterisation of human DNA replication origins by initiation site sequencing (ini-seq).
in Nucleic acids research
Crossley MP
(2017)
Targeting Functional Noncoding RNAs.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Kowalski MP
(2015)
Non-coding stem-bulge RNAs are required for cell proliferation and embryonic development in C. elegans.
in Journal of cell science
Kowalski M
(2015)
Non-coding stem-bulge RNAs are required for cell proliferation and embryonic development in C. elegans
in Development
Christov CP
(2018)
A NuRD Complex from Xenopus laevis Eggs Is Essential for DNA Replication during Early Embryogenesis.
in Cell reports
Title | Creative Reactions |
Description | Prints and printed objects produced by local artist Jackie Duckworth that were inspired by my presentation of our research work (funded by this BBSRC grant) during the 2018 Pint of Science Festival in Cambridge. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | This is detailed under 'Narrative Impact'. |
Description | We have discovered a new factor that regulates DNA replication in vertebrates. We have purified this factor from activated eggs of Xenopus laevis as an activity that can overcome the requirement of non-coding Y RNAs for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in human cell nuclei. This new factor is dominant over the activity of non-coding Y RNAs. We have identified it by mass spectrometry as a specific assemblage of the nucleosome remodelling and deacetylation complex, NuRD. It contains six subunits (CHD4, MTA2, HDACm, MBD3, GATAD2, and RBBP4/7) and we have termed this particular complex xNuRD. Up to our finding, NuRD complexes have not been implicated in the regulation of DNA replication initiation. Our finding of xNuRD as an essential replication factor therefore is of broad relevance for the biological sciences. We have investigated homologous NuRD complexes in human cells. Unlike xNuRD's requirement in early Xenopus embryos, these human complexes have no functional role in DNA replication. Finally, we have discovered that xNuRD is expressed and active during early development of Xenopus laevis, and that it is down-regulated and changes subunit composition concomitantly after the mid-blastula transition, when transcription of the embryo genome begins and cells differentiate. Therefore, we have discovered a new pathway for regulating DNA replication during vertebrate development. This work has been published in the March 2018 issue of the high-impact and open access journal, Cell Reports. In addition, we have established a novel approach to map start sites for chromosomal DNA replication genome-wide. This development now enables us to investigate how the newly discovered early embryonic Xenopus factor and vertebrate Y RNAs regulate the specification of start sites for chromosomal DNA replication and the absence and presence of transcription, respectively. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings have been published, so we can expect now that our results will be taken forward initially by the scientists and academics working in cell and developmental biology, and genome biology. Indeed, since its publication in 2018, our paper is now being cited by colleagues in the field, indicating that it is making an impact. Moreover, in a collaboration with the group of Jim Smith at the Francis Crick Institute, we are making good progress on further characterising quantitatively the role of xNuRD on the activation of chromosomal DNA replication origins in human cells. I have presented preliminary data at the 2019 Cold Spring Harbor meeting on DNA replication and Genome Stability, and full publication of this follow-up work is expected within a year. Ourselves, we will need to take these findings forward in order to raise further funding to continue research on the control of vertebrate chromosomal DNA replication and cell proliferation, which has been made possible by our findings obtained during this grant. |
Sectors | Education,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(18)30183-9 |
Description | I have presented our findings (published in the 2018 Cell Reports paper) to a general audience in a public space in Cambridge as part of the Pint of Science Festival in 2018. This resulted in detailed discussions with local individuals (including media professionals and artists) about our work and its relevance for helping the understanding of healthy development of organisms and proliferative diseases. Most notably, our ideas and findings were transformed by a local artist, Jackie Duckworth, into several pieces of art, which were displayed to the general public as part of the Creative Reactions Festival in Cambridge in 2018. These pieces went on to be on sale at the Festival and the artist's studio. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | Isaac Newton Trust Research Grant 'Regulation of chromosomal DNA replication' |
Amount | £22,320 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Minute 16.24(j) / RG 86684 |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Isaac Newton Trust |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 03/2017 |
Title | Initiation site sequencing (ini-seq) |
Description | Ini-seq is a novel method to determine the genome-wide locations of DNA replication origins in human cell nuclei. It is based on a cell-free system for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication, in which newly replicated DNA that is located close to its initiation site is isolated and subjected to high-throughput DNA sequencing and statistical analyses. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Scientific impact: initial publication of the method and key findings in a peer reviewed journal: Langley, Gräf et al., Nucleic Acids Res (2016) 44 (21): 10230-10247. Since its publication, we have now developed an improved version of Ini-seq, which allows us to quantify the initiation activity at each DNA replication origin genome-wide. This new development allows us now to study the activity of the initiation factor xNuRD, that was isolated during he award, quantitatively and genome-wide. This follow-up work is expected to be published within a year. |
URL | https://academic.oup.com/nar/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/nar/gkw760 |
Description | Initiation site sequencing (ini-seq) |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have used our expertise in cell-free DNA replication initiation systems to provide expertise and reagents for a collaboration on mapping DNA replication origins in human cell nuclei under controlled biochemical conditions. We have contributed to statistical analyses of data obtained in this collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | James C Smith's research group have used next-generation DNA sequencing technology available to them to sequence newly replicated genomic DNA adjacent to activated DNA replication origins. We have collaborated, and are currently collaborating, on data analysis and applying this new technology to characterisations of replication initiation factors identified in work funded by this grant. Additional contributions of bioinformatic and statistical expertise and performing such analyses was obtained through a collaboration with Dr Stefan Gräf, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge. |
Impact | The following publication has been published as result of this collaboration: Langley, A. R., Graf, S., Smith, J. C. and Krude, T. (2016). Genome-wide identification and characterisation of human DNA replication origins by initiation site sequencing (ini-seq). Nucleic Acids Res 44, 10230-10247. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkw760 |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Protein mass spectrometry |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have purified a new DNA replication initiation factor from Xenopus laevis eggs for protein analysis by mass spectrometry, which warrants identification and characterisation. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators, Drs Julian Sale and Mark Skehel at the MRC-LMB in Cambridge, have determined the protein content of the purified factor (which is a large multi-subunit protein complex) by mass spectrometry and have provided expertise in the data analysis. Subsequently, they have determined protein content of this complex during Xenopus early development and of homologues in in human cells. |
Impact | Publication: Christov, C.P., Dingwell, K.S., Skehel, M., Wilkes, H.S., Sale, J.E., Smith, J.C., and Krude, T. (2018). A NuRD Complex from Xenopus laevis Eggs Is Essential for DNA Replication during Early Embryogenesis. Cell Reports 22, 2265-2278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.015 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Xenopus egg and embryo extracts |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have obtained Xenopus laevis egg and staged embryo extracts from James C Smith's research group. We have purified a a dominant DNA replication initiation factor from the egg extracts. Subsequently, we have analysed protein expression profiles of this factor in staged embryo extracts. This collaboration is ongoing. |
Collaborator Contribution | James C Smith's research group are preparing and providing to us with extracts from activated Xenopus laevis eggs and early embryos for our biochemical and cell biological investigations. |
Impact | Publication: Christov, C.P., Dingwell, K.S., Skehel, M., Wilkes, H.S., Sale, J.E., Smith, J.C., and Krude, T. (2018). A NuRD Complex from Xenopus laevis Eggs Is Essential for DNA Replication during Early Embryogenesis. Cell Reports 22, 2265-2278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.015 |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | CSH meeting 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A professional conference on Eukaryotic DNA Replication held in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA. I presented relevant research from my group to a expert audience of scientists and research students. I obtained constructive feedback on our work, and my presentation generated constructive and critical discussions that led to additional research and understanding. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Cold Spring Harbor conference on DNA replication 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A professional conference on Eukaryotic DNA Replication held in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA. I presented the results from our work funded by the associated award to a expert audience of scientists and research students. I obtained a very positive feedback, I communicated with scientific editors of peer-reviewed journals, and my presentation generated constructive and critical discussions that led to additional research and understanding. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Cold Spring Harbor conference on Eukaryotic DNA Replication & Genome Maintenance 2019 (USA) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A professional conference held in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA. I presented the results from our follow-up work to the project funded by the associated award to a expert audience of scientist, research students and some third sector and media representatives. This follow-up work was made possible through the collaboration established by the award. At the conference, I obtained a very positive feedback and my presentation generated constructive and critical discussions that led to additional research and understanding. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Creative Reactions Festival Cambridge 2018 |
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 | Artwork conceived and generated by a local artist in response to my talk at the 2018 Pinto of Science Festival was displayed at this festival. It reached a wide audience and some pieces were sold. I also engaged in discussions of our science and research results to this audience during the one-day exhibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/assets/Uploads/Creative-Reactions-Booklet-2018.pdf |
Description | Darwin College Lecture Series on Development |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was the academic organiser of the 2015 Darwin College Lecture Series on the topic of Development. This is an established open lecture series hosted by Darwin College Cambridge, which consists of eight high profile and interdisciplinary lectures on eight subsequent Fridays in Lent Term ( January-March). My research is focussed on Development and therefore we put together a program on the wider aspects of this topic. Each lecture was attended by more than 600 people on each day, and they are available online with averages exceeding thousands of views per lecture. This outreach did not directly cover research progress from my own laboratory including the work funded by this grant, but my input into this lecture series was strongly influenced by our research. This outreach activity will be followed up by a printed book covering these lectures. I am also the editor of a book on this theme containing nine essays based on these lectures. This book has been published by Cambridge University Press in 2019 (link: https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/general-science/popular-science/development-mechanisms-change?format=PB ). I am now the chair of the management committee for the entire lecture series with responsibility to organise the yearly lectures, to identify future organisers and editors, and to oversee engagement with the public and the published of the book series. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |
URL | http://sms.cam.ac.uk/collection/1884355 |
Description | Pint of Science Festival Cambridge 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave a presentation and led a follow-up discussion of our work to a general audience at the 2018 Pint of Science Festival in Cambridge. I have detailed the resulting impact in the 'Narrative Impact' section. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | School talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | About 70 pupils attended a presentation of our research work and impact in a central London School. I expected only a few six-formers, but many more attended across a much wider age group, together with some of their teachers. The presentation sparked long and detailed discussions, several pupils said that the event may influence their choice as to what to read at University and which University to apply to. Feedback from teachers was overwhelmingly positive. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | St Johns Larmor Society talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | A general talk to a local undergraduate student audience on the current research conducted in my laboratory, leading to a good discussion and interest in my group as a potential place to do postgraduate work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Teachers academic partners scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | As part of a newly organised teacher's academic partners scheme supervised by the Biochemical Society, I organised the placement of local senior science teachers into our research group and others in my Department, also including the the visiting teachers in related University teaching activities. The teachers involved were from the Cambridge Regional College and the intention was to inform them of our research questions and methodologies. The event lasted for one week and was considered a success by all involved. There have been continued ad-hoc meetings and conversations to follow this on. There are plans to continue this scheme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
Description | University of Cambridge Alumni Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I gave a one-hour presentation to a general audience drawn from alumni of the University of Cambridge and their friends and guests (drawn from all age groups) about the current research in my group and its (potential) impact on society. The title was: "One becomes Two: DNA Replication and Cell Division". It was followed by informal discussions with interested individuals from the audience. The main impact, as I would evaluate it, was predominantly based on science communication with several participants of the talk and discussions reporting back that this has changed their understanding of what (our area of) science is doing and attempting to achieve. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |