Post-transcriptional Control of Gene Expression

Dr John Knight

Investigator Scientist

MRC Toxicology Unit
Hodgkin Building
PO Box 138
University of Leicester
Lancaster Road, Leicester
LE1 9HN, UK

Tel: +44 (0)116 252 5591
Email: Send Email

Academic Career

2012: Joined Professor Willis' group at the University of Leicester, to work on a project funded by the BBSRC.

2008-2011, PhD: ‘The regulation of SIRT1 protein during cancer metabolism and ribosome biogenesis’ with Professor Jo Milner at the University of York.

Current Project

The translational response to cold shock in mammalian cells

Cooling of human tissue is common during surgery and to preserve organs for transplantation. Also, the industrial production of recombinant protein from mammalian cells gives a greater yield at temperatures below 37˚C. Recently it has emerged that in reaction to reduced temperature mammalian cells implement a molecular response which appears to rely upon regulation of protein synthesis at the level of translation and mRNA metabolism. We work towards understanding the molecular effects of hypothermia within cells with the ultimate goal of using this knowledge to advise both health care and industrial practices.