Christine Schmidt

Dr. Christine Schmidt is a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Cancer Sciences within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester, where she leads the Genome Stability Lab (GSL). Her research program focuses on understanding genome maintenance mechanisms and developing novel approaches for cancer detection and treatment, with particular emphasis on ovarian cancer.

Dr. Schmidt completed her PhD at University College London under Dr. Frank Uhlmann (2004-2009), followed by postdoctoral positions at the National Cancer Institute/NIH with Dr. Tom Misteli (2009-2011) and at the Gurdon Institute/University of Cambridge with Prof. Stephen Jackson (2011-2016).

Her research spans two primary areas: (1) investigating how ubiquitylation pathways regulate the DNA damage response using cell biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and advanced microscopy techniques; and (2) developing nanotechnology-based approaches for early detection and targeted treatment of ovarian cancer, which has notoriously low long-term survival rates. Her lab integrates cutting-edge methodologies including high-throughput quantitative microscopy, microarray techniques, and biohybrid drug-delivery systems.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) in genome stability mechanisms, with particular attention to SUMO, ISG15, and UFMylation pathways. Her work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with translational applications, especially in ovarian cancer therapeutics. The publications demonstrate increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating nanotechnology, chemical biology, and advanced imaging approaches.

• BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship (2016)
• FBMH Dean's Prize Early Career Research Development Award (2016)
• Cambridge Nanoforum Fellowship (2012)
• FEBS Return-to-Europe Fellowship (2011)
• EMBO Long-term Fellowship (2008)

Dr. Schmidt mentors an extensive research team including multiple postdoctoral researchers, PhD students across various funding schemes (BBSRC, EPSRC, Cancer Research UK), and Master's students. Her lab collaborates with numerous external partners including AstraZeneca, international academic institutions, and nanotechnology experts. Current research directions include photo-crosslinking techniques for mapping protein interactions, small molecule inhibitors targeting DNA repair pathways, and innovative biohybrid drug-delivery vehicles using sperm robotics.

The Genome Stability Lab maintains strong connections with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and participates in the NEMO (Novel Early Markers for Ovarian Cancer) consortium, reflecting its translational focus on improving ovarian cancer outcomes through early detection and targeted therapies.