Teaching
BL2300 Research methods in biology
BL2301 Cell biology
BL2302 Molecular biology
BL3302 Gene regulation
BL4223 Molecular and cell biology of eukaryotic DNA replication
BL4201 Experimental research project
Research areas
Chromosomal DNA replication in eukaryotic cells requires the complex interplay of a large number of essential and non-essential protein factors in a temporally- and spatially-coordinated manner. Determining how these factors act together to replicate the genome is central to understanding how the integrity of the genome is maintained within, and across, generations and how genetic diseases such as cancer are avoided. The components of the replication machinery are also potential targets for anti-proliferative drugs and can be used as diagnostic markers for the proliferative state.
The complexity of the replication machinery favours the use of simple model systems to dissect problems of protein structure, function and regulation. Indeed, much of what we know about the eukaryotic replication apparatus has come from model system studies. In the MacNeill lab, research is focused on dissecting the molecular biology of eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication and genome stability using two highly contrasting model systems, the eukaryotic fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the genetically-tractable halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii. We use a variety of methods to address questions of protein structure and function within the chromosome replication apparatus, including genetics and molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics and bioinformatics.
PhD supervision
- Anna Zolotariof
Selected publications
-
Open access
The archaeal RecJ-like proteins: nucleases and ex-nucleases with diverse roles in replication and repair
MacNeill, S. A., Dec 2018, In: Emerging Topics in Life Sciences. 2, 4, p. 493-501Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
-
Open access
Insights into the evolutionary conserved regulation of Rio ATPase activity
Knüppel, R., Christensen, R., Gray, F. C., Esser, D., Strauss, D., Medenbach, J., Siebers, B., MacNeill, S. A., LaRonde, N. & Ferreira-Cerca, S., 16 Feb 2018, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 46, 3, p. 1441-1456 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
A novel archaeal DNA repair factor that acts with the UvrABC system to repair mitomycin C-induced DNA damage in a PCNA-dependent manner
Giroux, X. & MacNeill, S., 22 Dec 2015, In: Molecular Microbiology. 99, 1, p. 1-14Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
Open access
The haloarchaeal MCM proteins: bioinformatic analysis and targeted mutagenesis of the β7-β8 and β9-β10 hairpin loops and conserved zinc binding domain cysteines
Kristensen, T. P., Cherian, R. M., Gray, F. C. & MacNeill, S., 26 Mar 2014, In: Frontiers in Microbiology. 5, 123.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review