Professor Nigel Savery
B.Sc., Ph.D.(Birm.), SFHEA
Expertise
My research group explores aspects of gene regulation and DNA repair in bacteria. Our projects involve both the study of natural systems, and the development of designed gene regulators for use in Synthetic Biology.
Current positions
Professor of Biochemistry
School of BiochemistryHead of School
School of Biochemistry
Contact
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Biography
PhD Biochemistry (University of Birmingham) 1993
BSc Biochemistry (University of Birmingham) 1988
Research interests
Genomes are replicated, repaired, modified and transcribed by a diverse range of protein:protein and protein:nucleic acid complexes.
Research in my laboratory aims to understand the mechanisms by which such complexes cooperate to control the frequency and accuracy with which individual genes are expressed.
We are studying transcription-coupled DNA repair processes and the effect of DNA damage on transcription, using a combination of biochemical and genetic techniques. In collaboration with colleagues from Engineering Maths and Biological Sciences we are also developing synthetic gene regulatory networks that perform designed functions.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
8043 (CLOSED) BrisSynBio Extension Funding N Savery
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
01/02/2020 to 31/03/2022
Design and in vivo assembly of switchable protein-protein interactions for transcription regulation
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
01/12/2018 to 30/11/2022
Design and in vivo assembly of switchable protein-protein interactions for transcription regulation
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
01/12/2018 to 30/11/2022
How does the bacterial transcription-coupling repair factor promote adaptive mutagenesis in Campylobacter jejuni?
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
01/09/2011 to 01/03/2013
Why does transcription present a major barrier to genome duplication?
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of BiochemistryDates
04/04/2011 to 04/03/2015
Thesis supervisions
Transcription termination by a transcription-repair coupling factor
Supervisors
Modulation of bacterial DNA repair efficiency
Supervisors
Identification of CLP-1 atypical calpain substrates in Caenorhabditis elegans
Supervisors
Development and validation of synthetically engineered microbial consortia
Supervisors
Experimental and Computational Studies of PcrA helicase Interactions with Partner Proteins
Supervisors
Assembly and functionalisation of membraneless organelles from de novo designed proteins
Supervisors
De novo designed protein-protein interaction domains for synthetic biology applications in cells
Supervisors
De novo designed phospho-switchable protein-protein interaction domains for synthetic biology applications
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
16/06/2023Design and Selection of Heterodimerizing Helical Hairpins for Synthetic Biology
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Rational Design of Phosphorylation-Responsive Coiled Coil-Peptide Assemblies
ACS Synthetic Biology
De novo designed peptides for cellular delivery and subcellular localisation
Nature Chemical Biology
From peptides to proteins
Chemical Science
Analysis of the PcrA-RNA polymerase complex reveals a helicase interaction motif and a role for PcrA/UvrD helicase in the suppression of R-loops
eLife
Teaching
I am interested in the development of learning and teaching, and before becoming Head of School I was a Senior Academic Developer with the Bristol Institute of Learning and Teaching (BILT). In this role I was involved in the University's current curriculum enhancement programme, and in helping implement the TESTA approach to assessment review at the University (https://www.testa.ac.uk/).
My previous teaching roles include School Education Director for the School of Biochemistry, Programme Director for the Biochemistry programmes, and unit director for biochemistry, molecular genetics and Veterinary Biochemistry units.
At undergraduate level I teach a variety of topics relating to molecular biology and synthetic biology, and also aspects of research integrity.
Units currently that I currently teach on include:
MOLG22100 Recombinant DNA Technology
MOLG22200 Gene Expression and Repair
MVSF20001 Biomedical Research, Employability & Enterprise Skills
BIOC30602 Cellular Information
BIOC30001 Research & Communication Skills
BIOC30003 Research Project
BIOCM0015 Extended Reseach Project
BIOCM0017 Synthetic Biology
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