Richard Reece

Overview

The genome of an organism is complex. It contains within its DNA sequence all the information required to define not only cell type, but also the ability to respond to a variety of external conditions and signals. For example, the genome of the simple eukaryotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains 12 million base-pairs of DNA split into 16 separate chromosomes and comprises some 6,000 different genes. The protein products of these genes rarely act individually, and whole pathways are often regulated in response to a particular signal. Thus within cells there are programmes whereby sets of genes can be co-ordinately switched on or off. Efficient switches, must be able to operate in two directions: on to off and off to on. Genetic switches must operate in this way also, for example allowing appropriate gene expression when the certain nutrients are available, and turning gene expression off when nutrients are limiting or are unavailable. Insights into these processes can be gained by studying the relatively simple genetic switches of yeast (although the mechanistic details have turned out to be frighteningly complex!).

Biography

Professor Richard Reece is currently the  Associate Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students  for The University of Manchester. This role encompasses a variety wide-ranging cross-Faculty institutional issues.

The major roles of the Associate Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students are to:

• devise and implement teaching and learning strategy
• co-ordinate and so add value to the teaching and learning priorities of the University
• set the highest international standards for our teaching and learning
• co-ordinate the strategic development of the Manchester Learning Environment

Education

1984-1987 University of Leeds1987 BSc. Biochemistry1987-1990 University of Leicester1990 PhD. "Investigation of the domain structure of the Escherichia coli DNA gyrase A protein"
(Supervisor - Dr. Anthony Maxwell)

Positions held

• 1990: Postdoctoral Research Assistant (Leicester University with Dr. Anthony Maxwell)
• 1991-1995: Research Fellow (Harvard University with Prof. Mark Ptashne)
• 1995-2000: Lecturer, University of Manchester
• 2000-2006: Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester
• 2006-current: Professor of Molecular Biology, University of Manchester
• 2008-2011: Associate Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences
• 2011-current: Associate Vice-President, University of Manchester