معرفی
James L. Keck is a Professor in the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research centers on the structural and biochemical mechanisms of genome maintenance, with a focus on DNA replication, repair, and recombination in both bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
- B.S., University of Massachusetts (1992)
- Ph.D., University of California–Berkeley (1997)
- Postdoctoral training: Harvard University (1997–1998); UC Berkeley (1999–2001)
Dr. Keck’s research investigates single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) as central organizers in genome biology, exploring how they coordinate replication, repair, and recombination by serving as dynamic protein interaction hubs. His lab also studies DNA replication restart mechanisms in bacteria, particularly the structural roles of PriA, PriB, and associated proteins in replisome reloading, and examines human DNA repair complexes, including the interface between Fanconi Anemia and Bloom Dissolvasome pathways.
His recent publications reveal a strong focus on ssDNA metabolism, bacterial genome stability, G-quadruplex dynamics, and mitochondrial complex assembly. The work combines structural biology (X-ray crystallography), biochemical assays, and genetic analyses to uncover fundamental mechanisms in nucleic acid biology.
Dr. Keck has received numerous accolades, including:
- American Academy of Microbiology Fellow (2023)
- AAAS Fellow (2024)
- WARF Romnes Faculty Fellowship
- American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award
- UW SMPH Dean’s Teaching Award
- Kellett Mid-Career Research Award
He has been actively involved in mentoring and teaching, with sustained funding from major research institutions. Although specific advisees are not listed in the provided texts, his lab conducts extensive training in structural and molecular biology. The Keck lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, integrating biochemistry, genetics, and computational approaches to address critical questions in genome biology, with implications for cancer and antibacterial drug development.
