Dr Christine Farr

Biography

Christine studied genetics and biochemistry at QMC, University of London, where she obtained a BSc and PhD. After postdoctoral work at the Institute of Cancer Research and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund she moved to Cambridge, as a MRC Senior Research Fellow, and later took up a university lectureship in the Department of Genetics.

Research

We are interested in chromosome biology and the relationship between the structural organisation of vertebrate chromosomes and their function. Previously we have derived a minimal human chromosome, studied de novo telomere formation and genetically manipulated cultured vertebrate cells in order to study various chromosomally-associated proteins, such as the TTAGGG repeat binding factor TRF1 and Topoisomerase II (alpha and beta). Current research focuses on (i) the functional organisation of vertebrate centromere domains; (ii) the role of topoisomerase II at the centromere; (iii) the influence of SUMOylation on its activity; and (iv) topoisomerase II and mitotic chromosome condensation. Our studies combine vertebrate somatic cell genetics with cell biology and imaging techniques.

Research Group Links

https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/research-groups/farr

Dr Christine Farr (crukcambridgecentre.org.uk)