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
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
A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut.
A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut. bioRxiv. 2023 Mar 25.
PMID: 36993556
Mobile genetic element-encoded putative DNA primases composed of A-family polymerase-SSB pairs.
Mobile genetic element-encoded putative DNA primases composed of A-family polymerase-SSB pairs. Front Mol Biosci. 2023; 10:1113960.
PMID: 37006622
Structural basis for topological regulation of Tn3 resolvase.
Structural basis for topological regulation of Tn3 resolvase. Nucleic Acids Res. 2023 02 22; 51(3):1001-1018.
PMID: 36100255
First full views of a CRISPR-guided system for gene insertion.
First full views of a CRISPR-guided system for gene insertion. Nature. 2023 01; 613(7945):634-635.
PMID: 36631579
Structural basis for topological regulation of Tn3 resolvase.
Monta?o SP, Rowland SJ, Fuller JR, Burke ME, MacDonald AI, Boocock MR, Stark WM, Rice PA. Structural basis for topological regulation of Tn3 resolvase. Nucleic Acids Res. 2022 Sep 14.
PMID: 36100255
A novel DNA primase-helicase pair encoded by SCCmec elements.
A novel DNA primase-helicase pair encoded by SCCmec elements. Elife. 2020 09 18; 9.
PMID: 32945259
The protein-protein interactions required for assembly of the Tn3 resolution synapse.
The protein-protein interactions required for assembly of the Tn3 resolution synapse. Mol Microbiol. 2020 12; 114(6):952-965.
PMID: 33405333
Distinguished Educator in the Basic Sciences
University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division
2015
NSF fellowship
1987
Gannett Newspaper Carrier Scholarship
1982 - 1986