Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms, particularly the Mre11/Rad50 (MR) complex, and DNA replication in Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite. He investigates structural and functional aspects of these systems using enzymology and molecular biophysics. His work aims to understand molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and replication, with applications in antimalarial drug discovery.

Education:

• B.S. in Biotechnology, North Dakota State University (1997)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Iowa State University (2002)
• Postdoctoral Fellow in Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University (2003–2008)

Research Interests: Dr. Nelson's lab explores the MR complex's role in double-strand break repair and the apicoplast DNA replication machinery in Plasmodium falciparum. Techniques include cryo-EM, proteomics, and enzymatic assays. Recent work emphasizes structural biology of apicoplast DNA polymerase and small molecule inhibitors targeting this enzyme.

Publications: Recent studies highlight advancements in understanding Mre11 mutations, apicoplast DNA polymerase structures, and antimalarial drug candidates. Trends include interdisciplinary approaches combining structural biology with drug discovery.

Labs/Teams: The Nelson Lab focuses on molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and replication, with collaborations in structural biology and parasitology.