Robert Burton

• CDT Doctoral Researcher Supervisor: Prof Jane Endicott
• Email: r.j.burton1@newcastle.ac.uk
• Project Title: Translating Fragment Maps to Medical Impact

Institution: Newcastle University

Project Summary: Cell cycle and transcriptional regulation are critical aspects for maintaining cellular and genomic integrity. Frequently, these mechanisms are co-opted by cancers with dysregulated cell cycle checkpoints and transcriptional addictions. My project takes advantage of crystallographic fragment screening to map the molecular surface of Cyclin B and Cyclin H, a cell cycle regulator and transcriptional regulator, respectively. This method will enable the identification of fragment “Hotspots” which mirror sites of protein-protein interactions. Additionally, these fragments can be expanded and optimised towards the development of tool compounds to probe the activity of both Cyclin B and H.

Interesting Fact: I originally studied classical piano at university before deciding to pursue drug discovery and cancer research.