Dr Stuart MacNeill - University of St Andrews

 Stuart MacNeill's research is focused on gaining a detailed understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanisms that our cells use to copy the genetic material, DNA. He uses two very different, simple model systems for these studies – a fission yeast first isolated from East African millet beer in the 1890’s and a salt-loving archaeal organism discovered in the Dead Sea in the 1970’s. Both these organisms are easy to grow in the lab and both are particularly well suited to the type of molecular genetic analysis that has provided many key insights into how our cells copy DNA with the fidelity necessary to ensure that our genetic material is passed down faithfully through the generations.