Dr. Helder Ferreira
Lecturer
Research Focus
Chromatin Remodelling & Telomere Maintenance
Scientific Activities
Dr. Ferreira his research focusses on chromatin dynamics from local chromatin structure to global nuclear organization and how this regulates cellular processes. In particular, he is interested in ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling enzymes and telomere maintenance. His goal is to understand how the cross-talk between these systems is regulated within a developmental context and to uncover novel targets of chromatin remodelling enzymes. This is done by combining forward genetic analysis in budding yeast and C. elegans with biochemistry to obtain mechanistic insight into novel chromatin remodelling enzymes and the means by which they affect telomere function.
Significant Publications
Ferreira, HC, Towbin, BD, Jegou, T & Gasser, SM 2013, 'The shelterin protein POT-1 anchors Caenorhabditis elegans telomeres through SUN-1 at the nuclear periphery' Journal of Cell Biology, vol 203, no. 5, pp. 727-735.
Ferreira, HC, Luke, B, Schober, H, Kalck, V, Lingner, J & Gasser, SM 2011, 'The PIAS homologue Siz2 regulates perinuclear telomere position and telomerase activity in budding yeast' Nature Cell Biology, vol 13, no. 7, pp. 867-874.
Schober, H, Ferreira, HC, Kalck, R, Gehlen, LR & Gasser, SM 2009, 'Yeast telomerase and the SUN domain protein Mps3 anchor telomeres and repress subtelomeric recombination' Genes & Development, vol 23, no. 8, pp. 928-938.
Collaborators
Contact information
University of St Andrews
North Haugh
St. Andrews
KY16 9ST
Email: hcf2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Phone: