ECR Spotlight on Kate Giles — Australasian Epigenetics Alliance

This month we continue getting to know our AEpiA ECR Committee reps and have a Q&A with Dr Kate Giles. Kate is a member of the Cesare Lab at the Children’s Medical Research Institute in NSW and the Taberlay Lab at University of Tasmania.

In 2021 Kate was awarded one of the inaugural Millennium Science-10X Genomics Single Cell Fellowships to incorporate single cell sequencing into her research.

Briefly, can you tell us about your research?

DNA structure is regulated in part by protein complexes called “Chromatin remodellers”. Chromatin remodellers facilitate DNA structure for diverse cellular processes including transcription, DNA repair and DNA replication.

DNA replication is when DNA is duplicated during S-phase of the cell cycle. Any process that impedes DNA replication is termed “replication stress”. An altered chromatin environment from replication stress is the primary driver of genome instability in cancer.

My research investigates how chromatin remodellers regulate DNA structure during replication stress to maintain genome stability.

What advice would you give your undergrad self?

I would tell myself that while it is challenging to start a career and family at the same time, it’s also super rewarding and will show you what you are capable of achieving.

If you want to get in touch with Kate you can find her on twitter at @scientist_kate or here on our AEpiA Committee page.

Also on Twitter:

#replication #3Dgenome #nucleosome #chromatinremodelling #epigenetics @AEpiA

What is your role on the AEpiA Committee?

As one of the Social Media Officers I promote epigenetic research from Australia and New Zealand. I am also assisting the other ECR reps to create career development opportunities to foster a thriving epigenetic ECR community.