Nick Lakin

Professor Nick Lakin is a Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford. He is also a Fellow and Tutor in Biochemistry at St Peter’s College. His academic journey includes a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Warwick, followed by postdoctoral research at University College London and the University of Cambridge.

• Education:
• PhD in Molecular Genetics, University of Warwick

His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of genome stability, particularly how cells detect, signal, and repair DNA damage. Key areas include the role of Poly ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs) in DNA repair pathways and their implications for cancer biology and therapy. He explores how PARPs regulate protein recruitment to DNA damage sites and how these pathways influence genome integrity and cellular survival.

Professor Lakin teaches molecular biology and genetics at St Peter’s College and contributes to university-wide courses on nucleic acid structure, DNA replication, and cancer biology. His work bridges fundamental research and clinical applications, aiming to translate insights into therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to DNA repair defects.

Labs/Teams: His lab investigates DNA damage signaling and repair mechanisms, with a focus on PARP regulation and cancer therapeutics. Current projects include analyzing PARP-mediated ADP-ribosylation codes and their role in recruiting DNA repair proteins.