I performed my PhD on a project that revolved around events occuring at the at the midblastula transition (MBT), mainly the large burst of zygotic transcription at this stage. The identification and characterisation of novel genes expressed at this stage was my main aim. The project is now completed and several candidate genes have been isolated. Papers are currently being written and further characterisation of these is now a major goal of the lab with two new post-graduate students following on the project.

I also have a side interest in gastrulation, in looking at the role of sox17 and casanova in the role of endoderm formation and also observin the presence of the two germ layers, endoderm and mesoderm, in the mesendoderm. I gained this interest while working at the Stainier lab at San Francisco for a few months.


I have recently begun a post-doc examining the cellular response to DNA damage, a bit of a diversification from zebrafish. However, the techniques that I will learn during this time will complement my zebrafish skills and set me up as an all round scientist. I must admit, I still keep looking at recent zebrafish publications!!!