Julian Sale

Julian Sale is a Professor at the University of Cambridge, leading the Vertebrate Mutagenesis Group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC-LMB). His research focuses on DNA replication mechanisms and mutagenesis, particularly how cells resolve replication stress caused by DNA damage or secondary structures like G-quadruplexes.

Using vertebrate somatic cell genetics combined with biochemical and advanced imaging techniques, his lab investigates translesion synthesis (TLS), histone recycling during replication, and the molecular choreography at stalled replication forks. Key findings include TLS's dual role in mutagenesis and genome stability, as well as mechanisms for resolving non-B DNA structures during replication.

The lab's recent publications highlight advancements in understanding replication origin efficiency, mutational landscapes, and structural DNA impediments. Collaborative studies with colleagues such as Murat, Guilbaud, and Lerner demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches integrating biophysics, genomics, and molecular biology.