Professor Stephen Carr

Stephen began his journey as a structural biologist by obtaining a PhD in x-ray crystallography from the University of East Anglia where he investigated the molecular basis of cell entry and lethality of bacterial ribonuclease toxins.

He then moved to the group of Prof. Simon Phillips at the University of Leeds to tackle the challenging problem of how proteins recognise and process branched DNA structures.  A project that incorporated studies of how antibiotic resistance plasmids replicate, how Holliday junctions are cleaved during genetic recombination and how highly twisted DNA molecules are unwound by topoisomerase enzymes.

Relocation to the Research Complex as an MRC investigator scientist followed, where he continued his investigations into the molecular mechanisms of DNA processing in eukaryotes, where large multi-protein complexes are required to perform these tasks.  Research Complex was the ideal location for this work since its success relied on plentiful access to the national facilities (Diamond and ISIS) also located on the site. Working at the Harwell campus also facilitated collaborations with scientists across the campus, unlocking access to a vast pool of expertise.