Thomas McLean

Chromosome segregation is an essential process in the cells of all living organisms.

It ensures that each daughter cell inherits a complete copy of the parental genetic information. However not only is the genetic material of a cell compacted by three magnitudes, but it is also continuously in use and requires packaging in a specific manner to allow for vital DNA-based processes including transcription, replication and repair.

Many of the underpinning mechanisms of in vivo chromosome segregation and replication are not well understood.

One key process is the ParA-ParB-parS system which actively segregates the chromosome during replication through ParB-DNA spreading.

This system relies upon a CTP switch, and it is believed this is one of many vital biological systems that have evolved to use a cytidine nucleoside-based switch.

Thomas joined the Dr Tung Le’s group in 2021 as a postdoctoral researcher on a five-year Wellcome Trust funded project.

Previously Thomas graduated from the University of Leeds in 2016 (MBiol) before he went on to complete his PhD at the University of East Anglia and the John Innes Centre supervised by Professors Matt Hutchings and Barrie Wilkinson.