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Staff Profile

Dr Sara Luzzi

Research Associate

  • Address: Newcastle University Biosciences Institute
    International Centre for Life, East Wing
    Central Parkway
    Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ
    United Kingdom
Background

Part of the Biosciences Institute and the Cells, Genes and Molecules Theme

Member the NUBI RA committee and the FMS postdoc committee. Former member of the CBCC Researchers' committee.


Research Experience

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Newcastle University (United Kingdom), February 2020 - present

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Newcastle University (United Kingdom), July 2019 - December 2019

PhD student, Newcastle University (United Kingdom), March 2016 - June 2019

Research Assistant, Institut Curie (France), October 2014 - February 2016

Postgraduate student, Sapienza University (Italy), September 2012 - September 2014

Undergraduate student, Sapienza University (Italy), April 2012 - July 2012


Grants and awards

BBSRC Responsive Mode Research Grant, August 2021 - Co-investigator

JGW Patterson Foundation Research Grant, May 2020 - Co-awardee

Newcastle University Research Travel Fund, February 2019

Post-submission PhD Scholarship, February 2019

Newcastle University PhD Studentship, September 2015 


Education

2019 - PhD, Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University (United Kingdom)

2014 - Master's, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sapienza University (Italy)

2012 - BSc, Biological Sciences, Sapienza University (Italy)


Social media

Linkedin Twitter Mastodon

Research

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Control of 3'-end formation in human breast cancer cells

Proper maturation of the 3' terminus of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is essential to ensure functional gene expression. Most eukaryotes employ alternative polyadenylation (APA) to increase the number of RNA isoforms transcribed from one gene, thus allowing not only production of different proteins but also tissue-specific diversification of the protein function. However, aberrant APA leads to disruption of gene expression with severe consequences on genome stability, and can cause human disease and cancer. I am studying the mechanisms regulated by RNA binding proteins and chromatin modifications that prevent aberrant APA in breast cancer cells, which can help identify possible therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment/prevention.

Funders: JGW Patterson Foundation, BBSRC (co-investigator)


RNA binding proteins in male germ cell development

RNA splicing plays an essential role in spermatogenesis, and mutations within genes that encode for splicing regulators have been associated with male infertility. Some RNA binding proteins that control splicing during spermatogenesis are only expressed in the testis, and derive from X-linked genes via retrotransposition. These factors have probably evolved to replace the function of their X-linked mother genes, which get inactivated during male meiosis through a process called meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Part of my research looks at the conservation between an X-linked gene and its meiotic-specific retrogene in splicing regulation (currently available as Reviewed Preprint on eLife, https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/89705), and at the implications in male fertility.

Funder: BBSRC (co-investigator)


Hormone-dependent alternative splicing in breast and prostate cancer

Breast and prostate cancer are amongst the most frequent types of cancers in the UK and worldwide. Initially these cancers strongly depend on hormones to grow, so a common treatment is endocrine therapy. Nevertheless, patients often relapse because the cancer becomes resistant to this type of therapy and likely to metastasise. I have recently found that different stages of cancer express alternative versions of an important splicing factor implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, a process that promotes metastasis. Abundance of these alternative proteins depends on hormones in both breast and prostate cancer cells, and could have different impact on cancer metastasis.

Funder: Newcastle University FMS Research Excellence Development Award


Regulation of transcriptional pausing by RNA binding proteins in breast cancer cells

Transcription across most human genes is generally paused near the start, both to allow quality control of the newly synthesised RNA and to regulate transcription levels. Disruption of this pathway has been linked to human disease and cancer. Several protein factors with a known role in cancer biology have been identified as regulators of transcription pausing (including c-myc). My research characterises a possible role for oncogenic RNA binding proteins in this process, and understand their contribution to cancer progression and metastasis.

Funder: JGW Patterson Foundation (co-awardee)


PREVIOUS RESEARCH INTERESTS

Chromatin regulation of transcription in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

During my PhD under the supervision of Dr Manolis Papamichos-Chronakis I described a mechanism of RNA quality control through premature transcription termination that depends on the chromatin remodeller INO80. A preprint of this study is currently deposited on biorXiv.

Funder: Newcastle University


Integrity of human telomeres upon exposure to X-radiation

During my BSc and Master's I analysed the effects of X-radiation on human telomere length and integrity, cellular senescence and apoptosis. Furthermore, I found that the coenzyme Q10 has a role in protecting human telomeres from radiation-induced DNA damage. Part of my findings were published in Microgravity Science and Technology

Funder: ASI (Italian Space Agency)

Teaching

Teacher for BGM3063 (Biochemistry of Gene Expression) - 2021 to present

Lab supervision of undergraduate students (2nd and 3rd stage) and postgraduate students (including PhD) - 2016 to present

Lab demonstrator - 2018

Publications