Hickson Group

The main focus of the Hickson Group is to define how chromosomal instability over a human life-course influences the aging process and age-associated pathologies such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders
Chromosome foto
Image Legend: Examples of chromosome segregation errors that arise in DNA repair defective cells during the process of cell division (mitosis). The yellow arrows mark two types of these errors: a DNA bridge (center) and lagging chromosomes (right). The image on the left shows a normal mitosis. DNA was stained with a dye and is shown in grey.

 

 

 

The Hickson Group utilizes cutting-edge molecular/cell biology techniques, coupled with innovative biophysical methods to understand the molecular basis of the aging process. The aim is to identify how changes to chromosome structure and integrity impact on the fitness of human cells and their longevity.

“Our ultimate aim is to be able to design interventions that will have a positive impact on the health-span of individuals”, says Professor and Group Leader Ian Hickson.

The group has world-leading expertise in the study of how chromosome integrity is maintained in human cells. This has permitted the group to define the molecular basis of selected genetic disorders that are associated with premature aging and/or an increased incidence of age-associated disease. Together with partners in the University of Copenhagen and Center for Chromosome Stability, the group seeks to understand ways in which chromosome instability can be minimized and/or prevented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The role of folate deficiency in the development of age-associated human disease. Together with our collaborator, Associate professor Ying Liu, the Hickson Group investigates the link between folate deprivation, chromosome maintenance and the development of neurological disorders. Dietary folate deficiency is common in the elderly because of reduced intake and poor intestinal absorption. The group seeks to define new biomarkers of defective genome maintenance associated with folate deprivation

Contact: 

Ying Liu
Associate Professor
ying@sund.ku.dk

(+45) 35 32 77 61
CV, publications, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folate stress induces SLX1- and RAD51-dependent mitotic DNA synthesis at the fragile X locus in human cells

Garribba, L.Bjerregaard, V. A.Gonçalves Dinis, M. M.Özer, Ö.Wu, WeiSakellariou, D.Pena-Diaz, J.Hickson, Ian David & Liu, Ying2020In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 11728p. 16527-16536 10 p.

High-resolution mapping of mitotic DNA synthesis regions and common fragile sites in the human genome through direct sequencing

Macheret, M.Bhowmick, RahulSobkowiak, K.Padayachy, L.Mailler, J.Hickson, Ian David & Halazonetis, T. D.2020In: Cell Research. 30p. 997–1008

Inducible Degradation of the Human SMC5/6 Complex Reveals an Essential Role Only during Interphase

Bueno Venegas, A.Natsume, T.Kanemaki, M. & Hickson, Ian David2020In: Cell Reports. 31320 p., 107533.

RTEL1 suppresses G-quadruplex-associated R-loops at difficult-to-replicate loci in the human genome

Wu, Wei, Bhowmick, Rahul, Vogel, I.Özer, Ö.Ghisays, F.Thakur, R. S.Sanchez de Leon, E.Richter, P. H.Ren, L.Petrini, J. H., Hickson, Ian David & Liu, Ying, 2020In: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. 275, p. 424-437 14 p.

Replication Stress Induces ATR/CHK1-Dependent Nonrandom Segregation of Damaged Chromosomes

Xing, M.Zhang, F.Liao, H.Chen, S.Che, L.Wang, X.Bao, Z.Ji, F.Chen, G.Zhang, H.Li, W.Chen, Z.Liu, Ying, Hickson, Ian David, Shen, H. & Ying, S.2020In: Molecular Cell. 784, p. 714-724.e5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foto af Ian Hickson

Group leader

Ian David Hickson
Professor 

Email: iandh@sund.ku.dk
Phone: +45 35 32 67 38

CV, publications, etc.

Group members

Name Title Phone E-mail
Christian Friberg Nielsen Researcher +4535331641 E-mail
Ian David Hickson Professor +4535326738 E-mail
Salar Ahmed Ej Efternavn Postdoc +4535324629 E-mail
Sebastian Kaiser Postdoc   E-mail
Yiqing Wang Postdoc +4535330766 E-mail