6. Dr Andy Pickford

Qualifications: BA (Hons), DPhil

Role Title: Associate Head (Research)

Address: King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY

Telephone: 023 9284 2055

Email: Andy.Pickford@port.ac.uk

Department: School of Biological Sciences

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Biography

I graduated from the University of Oxford in 1993 with a BA (Hons) degree in Biochemistry. I went on to complete a DPhil in Biochemistry (1997) in the laboratory of Prof Iain Campbell in Oxford, and continued there as a Research Associate studying the structural biology of the extracellular matrix (ECM) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as my principal research tool.

I joined the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth in September 2005 as Senior Lecturer in Biological NMR. I brought with me extensive experience in the study of the structure, function and dynamic properties of proteins. Since then the focus of my research has turned from the steady-state structure and interactions of the ECM, to the mechanisms by which it is degraded by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) – an area of importance in the progression of diseases such as arthritis and cancer. In March 2012, I took on the role of Associate Head (Research) for the School of Biological Sciences.

Teaching Responsibilities

Level 4: Experimental Biology, Perspectives in Biochemistry

Level 5: Macromolecules Biochemistry

Level 6: Biomolecular Science (unit coordinator), Honours Project

Level 7: Science project supervisor

Research Interests

Structure-Function Relationships in Matrix Metalloproteinases

7. Dr Garry Scarlett

Qualifications: PhD

Role Title: Associate Head (Academics)

Address: King Henry Building, King Henry I Street, Portsmouth, PO1 2DY

Telephone: 023 9284 2027

Email: garry.scarlett@port.ac.uk

Department: School of Biological Sciences

Faculty: Faculty of Science

Biography

I studied Molecular Biology at Portsmouth and completed my undergraduate degree in 1991. I stayed in the Biophysics laboratories at Portsmouth for my postgraduate studies, working in the group of Professor Geoff Kneale on the characterisation of the gene V protein, a DNA binding protein that is important in the life cycle of the Fd bacteriophage via its role in gene regulation. After completing my PhD in 1995 I worked on unusual DNA structures formed by triplet repeat sequences in the laboratory of Dr James McClellan also in Portsmouth. In 1999 I took a new post-doctoral position in the laboratories of Professors Bob Simmons and Walter Gratzer at the Randall Institute London. I returned to Portsmouth in 2000 where I worked as a post-doctoral researcher for Dr Matt Guille, allowing me a chance to learn a new set of skills and a change of direction into the cell and developmental biology fields. I was appointed a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth in November 2004 and Associate Head in 2011.

Teaching Responsibilities

I teach on, and am also the unit coordinator for, the first year unit Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry. I also help teach on both the Biochemistry and Cells units in the second year, while in the third year I teach on the Gene Organisation and Expression unit. I am first year Coordinator and since 2011 Associate Head.

Research Interests

The main focus of the Scarlett lab research is the role of unusual nucleic acid structures in gene regulation. My lab makes use of the popular model system Xenopus laevis and employs a wide range of genetic, biochemical and biophysical assays. The lab is currently studying the role of A-form DNA in transcriptional control. My lab is also interested genetic zooarchaeology and collaborates with a number of organisations to better help understand the development of domesticated animals through history.