The Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University are delighted to be hosting Professor Sir Shankar Balasubramanian from the University of Cambridge for his Khorana Prize talk on the 29th April 2026.
Lunch from 12pm
Talk from 1pm
Abstract
"The structure and function of G-quadruplex DNA"
DNA can exist in folded structures that are distinct from the B-DNA double helix. One such structure is the four-stranded G-quadruplex, which can form in certain G-rich sequences. Over the past 25 years or so, our lab has been seeking to understand the nature of such structures and whether they are simply a curiosity or might they exist in natural systems. To address this, we have created and used numerous chemical approaches. I will discuss the evidence on the existence of G-quadruplexes in human cells and tissues along with our current working hypothesis for what they may be doing in biology. Some of these ideas suggest potential for new therapeutic approaches, especially in oncology.
Lunch from 12pm
Talk from 1pm
Abstract
"The structure and function of G-quadruplex DNA"
DNA can exist in folded structures that are distinct from the B-DNA double helix. One such structure is the four-stranded G-quadruplex, which can form in certain G-rich sequences. Over the past 25 years or so, our lab has been seeking to understand the nature of such structures and whether they are simply a curiosity or might they exist in natural systems. To address this, we have created and used numerous chemical approaches. I will discuss the evidence on the existence of G-quadruplexes in human cells and tissues along with our current working hypothesis for what they may be doing in biology. Some of these ideas suggest potential for new therapeutic approaches, especially in oncology.
