Directory of Experts
Details for Professor Mark Szczelkun
| Personal details | |
| Name | Professor Mark Szczelkun |
| Job title | Professor of Biochemistry |
| Department | School of Biochemistry University of Bristol |
| Personal web page | http://www.bris.ac.uk/biochemistry/research/mds.html |
| Contact details | This expert can be contacted via the University of Bristol Public Relations
Office. To help us deal with your request, please mention the Directory of Experts when contacting the Public Relations Office. work+44 (0)117 331 8092 email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk |
| Qualifications | B.Sc.(Liv.), Ph.D.(Soton) |
| Professional details | |
| Keywords | molecular motors DNA genetic processes protein ATP hydrolysis cleavage of DNA restriction enzymes repair of DNA |
| Areas of expertise | Mechanism, control and diversity of molecular motors on DNA. Many genetic processes require the action of large protein machines that act on DNA as a function of ATP hydrolysis. In this way these complexes act as “molecular motors” – they convert chemical energy as ATP into mechanical events. Our lab is interested in how ATP hydrolysis is used to communicate between distant sites on DNA, sites which may be many thousands of base pairs distant. We are currently concentrating on two processes: (1) The cleavage of DNA by the ATP-dependent restriction enzymes; and (2) The repair of DNA damage by the mismatch repair system. |