The Hidden World of DNA

DNA controls every process in the cell, but what happens when a cell enters a new environment? To be able to respond, some genes need to be switched on and others need to be turned off. This control is vital to bacteria that live in constantly changing habitats. In this talk, I will focus on a set of proteins that control genes using iron as a sensor, how these proteins may be used by disease-causing bacteria to initiate infection, and why iron is such a crucial nutrient to both us and bacteria.

Many fascinating variations exist in the structure of DNA - this talk will demonstrate how these structures influence how DNA interacts with proteins. These interactions influence every cellular process that involves DNA and are particularly critical in DNA repair systems that ensure genomes remain stable in the challenging environments that occur in all cells! The talk will also highlight how studies in bacteria have been important for understanding the response to DNA damage in humans, helping to identify potential therapies for human diseases that range from cancer to neurological disease.