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Personal Research Fellowships for 2000-2003 were awarded to:
A Support Research Fellowship for 2000-2001 was awarded to:
Structural basis of specific DNA recognition by eukaryotic transposases
Dr Richardson will be carrying out structural studies to investigate the DNA-binding properties of transposases, the enzymes involved in controlling the movement of fragments of DNA within the chromosome. Transposition plays an important part in shaping genome structure as when fragments of DNA move from one place to another on a chromosome, new combinations of DNA are created or damaged DNA is repaired. Each potentially moveable DNA fragment (transposon) is only responsive to its own particular transposase and so the results of Dr Richardson's work will provide important information on the specific recognition factors involved and should provide pointers to long-term developments in biomedical gene therapy.
Structural and functional studies on the rat metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1a
The aim of this study is to learn more about the mechanisms involved in the transfer of important biochemical information across cell membranes. Most cells have receptor proteins on their surfaces which react to the presence of specific molecules in the extracellular fluid by sending signals across the cell membrane which 'switch on' or 'off' other proteins inside the cell. By investigating the structure and activity of these cell surface receptor proteins and, in particular, how the binding of a substance to the outside surface of a cell results in a cascade of activity within the cell, Dr Fraser hopes to shed light on a fundamental problem in cell biology.
Regulation of microdomains of Ca²+ in smooth muscle
Dr McCarron will be investigating how the concentration of calcium in smooth muscle tissue, which plays a crucial part in its ability to contract, is controlled and how different concentrations affect smooth muscle contractility. Smooth muscle, which is found in the walls of many organs of the body, performs a range of essential physiological functions including ensuring the normal functioning of the gut and, to a large extent, controlling peripheral blood pressure. In spite of its essential function, little is known about the normal process of smooth muscle contraction and even less is known about how this is altered in diseases like hypertension and motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.