Researching how cohesin and chromosome‑axis proteins initiate meiotic recombination.
I am a PhD researcher at the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen. I study DNA double‑strand break (DSB) formation and build reproducible analysis pipelines for gels and ChIP‑seq.
About
I’m a PhD researcher in the Murakami Lab (IMS, University of Aberdeen). My work focuses on the molecular mechanisms that trigger meiotic recombination, particularly the interplay between cohesin and chromosome‑axis proteins. I use ChIP‑seq and quantitative analysis to link protein binding to DSB landscapes.
Research Focus
Initiating meiotic recombination: how axis proteins trigger DNA double‑strand breaks
At the Murakami Lab, we investigate the initiation of meiotic recombination, focusing on the programmed formation of DNA double‑strand breaks (DSBs) by specialised DSB proteins. Our goal is to map the molecular framework that governs how these proteins bind along meiotic chromosomes, revealing the principles behind robust recombination.
My research examines the molecular mechanisms by which chromosome‑axis proteins initiate DSB formation. This has important implications for reproductive health: when recombination fails, errors in chromosome number or structure can arise, leading to miscarriage or congenital syndromes such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and Turner syndrome. About 0.3% of newborns are affected by such abnormalities. By clarifying these pathways, we aim to contribute to strategies that reduce the incidence of chromosomal disorders.
DSB Protein Mapping
Charting binding sites across meiotic chromosomes to understand where and when DSBs are programmed.
Axis Protein Mechanisms
Dissecting how Red1, Rec8, and other axis components promote and position DSB formation.
Medical Significance
Linking recombination defects to chromosomal aneuploidies that underlie miscarriage and congenital syndromes.
Projects
This list pulls automatically from my public GitHub repositories.
Publications (selected)
- Assessment of mental health problems among adolescents in Sri Lanka — Health Science Reports, 2022. Add DOI/link
- Parental engagement and adolescents' mental health wellbeing — Public Health Review, 2021. Add DOI/link
See more on Google Scholar or ORCID.
Contact
Email: a.rajalingam.23@abdn.ac.uk (alt: gmail)