Merlin Crossley | |
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Merlin Crossley, AM [1] is an Australian molecular biologist, university teacher, and administrator. He is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academic Quality at the University of New South Wales. [2]
Crossley attended Mount View Primary School, Glen Waverley, Victoria, then was awarded an entrance scholarship to Melbourne Grammar School, where he was dux. He undertook a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, as a resident of Queen's College (University of Melbourne), then a doctorate at the University of Oxford supported by a Rhodes Scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford. [3] He worked at Oxford, Harvard and the University of Sydney, before moving to UNSW as Dean of Science. [4] In recognition of his service on the Trust of the Australian Museum a new species of butterfly bobtail squid was named in his honour - Iridoteuthis merlini - Merlin's bobtail squid. [5] [6]
Crossley has held senior roles at both the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. He has led the research portfolio, and the teaching portfolio. He is most well known for overseeing the introduction, in 2017, of Education Focussed Careers at University of New South Wales. The idea was to formally recognise that the university relied on academics who were primarily dedicated to teaching and to supporting students. Previously the university had sought to ensure that all academics were 'research active', but now appreciates that a good team requires batters, bowlers, and all-rounders. Academics can be promoted for their work in any area. Many argue that, as well as boosting morale, this change has improved the student experience and even contributed to an uplift in the overall quality of research, as only those committed to research generate outputs.
Crossley is interested in gene regulation. He studied an unusual genetic disorder termed Haemophilia B Leyden where patients recover after puberty. [7] The condition results from mutations that disrupt the control region of the clotting factor IX gene. [8] [9] A testosterone-responsive element accounts for post-pubertal recovery. [10] He has also investigated abnormal patterns of globin gene expression and his work on mutations associated with the lifelong expression of the fetal haemoglobin gene may help in the treatment of thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia. [11] He is using CRISPR-mediated gene editing to introduce beneficial mutations in cell lines as models for treating genetic diseases. [12] [13] Clinical trials by major gene editing companies are now introducing mutations that his lab described.
He is also known for the initial identification and cloning of a significant number of genes encoding DNA-binding proteins: KLF3, [14] KLF8, [15] KLF17, [16] EOS IKZF4, [17] PEGASUS IKZF5, [18] and their associated co-regulators: FOG1 ZFPM1, [19] FOG2 ZFPM2, [20] and CTBP2. [21]
He has contributed numerous articles on molecular genetics and education to newspapers and media outlets such as The Conversation (website) [22] and has promoted science communication, for instance as a member of the judging panel for the annual anthology, Best Australian Science Writing. [23] He is Deputy Director of the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC), [24] has served on the Trust of the Australian Museum 2012-20 [25] and the Board of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science 2010-15, [26] and is on the Board of, and Chair of the Editorial Board of The Conversation (website).
In molecular biology, a transcription factor (TF) is a protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to a specific DNA sequence. The function of TFs is to regulate—turn on and off—genes in order to make sure that they are expressed in the desired cells at the right time and in the right amount throughout the life of the cell and the organism. Groups of TFs function in a coordinated fashion to direct cell division, cell growth, and cell death throughout life; cell migration and organization during embryonic development; and intermittently in response to signals from outside the cell, such as a hormone. There are approximately 1600 TFs in the human genome. Transcription factors are members of the proteome as well as regulome.
Haemophilia B, also spelled hemophilia B, is a blood clotting disorder causing easy bruising and bleeding due to an inherited mutation of the gene for factor IX, and resulting in a deficiency of factor IX. It is less common than factor VIII deficiency.
In molecular genetics, the three prime untranslated region (3′-UTR) is the section of messenger RNA (mRNA) that immediately follows the translation termination codon. The 3′-UTR often contains regulatory regions that post-transcriptionally influence gene expression.
Coagulation factor VIII is an essential blood clotting protein. In humans, it is encoded by F8 gene. Defects in this gene result in hemophilia A, an X-linked bleeding disorder.
In molecular biology, the TATA box is a sequence of DNA found in the core promoter region of genes in archaea and eukaryotes. The bacterial homolog of the TATA box is called the Pribnow box which has a shorter consensus sequence.
Factor IX, also known as Christmas factor, is one of the serine proteases involved in coagulation; it belongs to peptidase family S1. Deficiency of this protein causes haemophilia B.
GATA-binding factor 1 or GATA-1 is the founding member of the GATA family of transcription factors. This protein is widely expressed throughout vertebrate species. In humans and mice, it is encoded by the GATA1 and Gata1 genes, respectively. These genes are located on the X chromosome in both species.
In molecular genetics, the Krüppel-like family of transcription factors (KLFs) are a set of eukaryotic C2H2 zinc finger DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression. This family has been expanded to also include the Sp transcription factor and related proteins, forming the Sp/KLF family.
Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) also known as acute myeloid leukemia 1 protein (AML1) or core-binding factor subunit alpha-2 (CBFA2) and it is a protein that is encoded by the RUNX1 gene, in humans.
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha is a protein encoded by the CEBPA gene in humans. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha is a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of certain blood cells. For details on the CCAAT structural motif in gene enhancers and on CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins see the specific page.
C-terminal-binding protein 1 also known as CtBP1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CTBP1 gene. CtBP1 is one of two CtBP proteins, the other protein being CtBP2.
DNA damage-binding protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DDB1 gene.
DNA-binding protein Ikaros also known as Ikaros family zinc finger protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IKZF1 gene.
Forkhead box protein O4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FOXO4 gene.
Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZEB1 gene.
D site of albumin promoter binding protein, also known as DBP, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the DBP gene.
Krueppel-like factor 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLF8 gene. KLF8 belongs to the family of KLF protein. KLF8 is activated by KLF1 along with KLF3 while KLF3 represses KLF8.
GTP-binding protein Rit1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RIT1 gene.
Krüppel-like factor 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KLF3 gene.
George Gow Brownlee is a British pathologist and Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford.
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