Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA)
SInFoNiA is the home for all forms of nucleic-acids focused research at the University of Sheffield. We are a cross-cutting group, incorporating teams from the faculties of Science, Medicine and Engineering with a common goal to understand nucleic acids better.
Upcoming Seminars
All talks usually take place at 2pm in the Alfred Denny Conference room, and will be followed by Pizza and networking. There will also be a chance for careers chats over lunch with many of the speakers - watch out for announcements closer to the time.
Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 2pm: TBD
Thursday 27th June 2024 at 2pm: TBD
Gene expression
Large parts of the human genome are transcribed to make a variety of RNA molecules including messenger, micro and long non-coding RNAs. These RNA molecules play diverse roles in the cell from templates for making protein, through to regulatory RNAs controlling chromosome structure and activity. Our research investigates the biology of RNA; how it is made, what it does and how it travels around in cells.
Genome stability
The DNA within our cells which makes up our genome is constantly being damaged and its accurate repair is essential to maintain health and prevent diseases such as cancer. Furthermore, during cell division DNA must be replicated (copied) in an error free way to prevent the accumulation of harmful mutations. We are studying how DNA is accurately replicated and repaired, and how processes such as the transcription of DNA into RNA carries inherent risks for genome integrity.
Chemical biology
Many diseases are associated with genome instability or uncontrolled gene expression. Numerous protein and nucleic acid molecules play key coordinated roles in genome stability and gene expression. Studies of these molecules using chemical principles and techniques allow the molecular basis of DNA repair, DNA replication and the various roles of RNA to be revealed. This information is vital to exploiting DNA and RNA processes as therapeutic targets. We study the molecular basis of DNA and RNA systems and use chemistry to intervene in these processes.