Dr Martina Foglizzo

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds as a Postodoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor Elton Zeqiraj in January 2019.

I initially graduated with a BSc (Biochemistry; 2010) and MSc (Molecular Biology & Genetics; 2012) degrees from the University of Pavia. I subsequently moved to the University of Otago (New Zealand), where I studied the structure and function of ubiquitin E3 ligases and deubiquitylating enzymes during my Doctoral training. Following completion of my PhD in 2016, I stayed at the same institution for a Postdoctoral position prior to moving to the United Kingdom.

Research interests

My research focuses on understanding how ubiquitin signalling and post-translational modifications of chromatin regulate DNA damage and repair. I am also interested in stuyding macromolecular complexes involved in DNA replication to uncover the mechanisms underpinning their biological functions.

I use structural biology, biochemistry and biophysical techniques to learn how an E3 ubiquitin ligase and deubiquitylase (DUB) complex associates with chromatin, and determine how different post-translational marks affect substrate recruitment, complex enzymatic activity and function. I also use the same techniques to study the molecular mechanisms of DNA-associated ATPases, and learn how substrate binding and unfolding is regulated by these large macromolecular machines.

Qualifications

• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Otago, Dunedin
• PhD, University of Otago, Dunedin
• MSc (Molecular Biology & Genetics), University of Pavia, Pavia
• BSc (Biochemistry), University of Pavia, Pavia

Professional memberships

• Early Career Member of the Biochemical Society
• Associate Investigator Maurice Wilkins Centre (MWC) for Research Excellence