Alicia K. Byrd

Alicia K. Byrd serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. She also holds an Associate Member position at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on DNA damage response mechanisms, particularly the role of helicase enzymes in maintaining genomic stability.

Dr. Byrd's research interests center on DNA repair pathways and genomic instability. Her laboratory investigates how helicases resolve secondary DNA structures like G-quadruplexes, which can cause chromosomal rearrangements leading to cancer or Fragile X Syndrome. Using biophysical, biochemical, and cellular techniques—including single-molecule kinetics, proteomics, and genomics—her team examines enzyme mechanisms both individually and within multi-protein complexes, with emphasis on post-translational modifications.

Her publication analysis reveals strong specialization in G-quadruplex biology and helicase function across diverse systems from bacteriophage to human enzymes. Key trends include methodological innovations in DNA unwinding assays, structural analyses of helicase-DNA interactions, and exploration of helicase roles in replication fork dynamics. The research demonstrates consistent focus on fundamental mechanisms of DNA repair enzymes with translational implications for cancer and genetic disorders.

Dr. Byrd leads an active research program in the Biomedical Research Center (B408), utilizing advanced techniques to study DNA-protein interactions. Her laboratory maintains collaborative relationships across multiple institutions as evidenced by co-authorship patterns in publications.