Project Reference: TRG27-GEN-FK1

Project title: Mechanisms safeguarding genome integrity

Project outline

Our lab studies the germline, the immortal cell lineage that provides the continuity of life. Using Drosophila as a model, we combine developmental, genetic, microscopy, and genomic analyses (small RNA-seq, RNA-seq, Ribo-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, long-read DNA- and RNA-seq, etc.) to build a systematic and unbiased understanding of the diverse aspects that govern germline biology in vivo. We are interested in dissecting the mechanisms protecting the genome against naturally occurring mutations as well as selfish DNA modules such as transposons (Teixeira et al, Nature 2017; Gebert et al, Mol Cell 2021; Jansen et al, Genes & Dev 2024), and in using germline stem cells as a model for understanding stem cell self-renewal, growth, and differentiation in vivo (Sanchez et al, Cell Stem Cell 2016; Gui et al, Cell Rep 2023; Samuels et al, EMBO J 2024; Grobicki et al, PNAS 2025). For instance, accumulation of unrepaired damage can lead to infertility and tumour development. Given that, we aim to understand, at the single-cell level, how germ cells assess, control, and respond to DNA damage during development; how this compares with somatic cells' responses to damage; the mechanisms that regulate DNA damage responses; and how these affect genome function and stability (both within and across generations). Current projects involve using genetics to dissect molecular mechanisms, developmental biology, single-molecule microscopy, as well as single-cell, NGS, and long-read sequencing approaches (notably Nano-seq). This project will be conducted in collaboration with Prof Alex Cagan (Dept of Genetics, Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine).

Principal Supervisor

Professor Felipe Karam Teixeira

Email address: fk319@cam.ac.uk

Department / Partner Institute: Genetics

Website: https://karamteixeira.wixsite.com/website

BBSRC strategic theme

Understanding the rules of life