Iain Richard

I am a PhD student in the Baum lab. Previously, I studied DNA damage repair mechanisms in eukaryotic cells at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane. I am interested in the propagation and DNA partitioning in TACK and Asgard Archaea, with a specific focus on investigating the unique cytoskeletal machinery responsible for facilitating this process. Currently, there is limited understanding regarding the mechanisms utilised by these organisms to partition their DNA and undergo division. However, through genomic analysis, it has been predicted that various members of TACK and Asgard archaea possess a multitude of ‘eukaryotic-like’ proteins involved in crucial cellular processes such as cell cycle control, DNA replication, and cell division. By studying these intricate mechanisms, we can gain valuable insights into the field of archaeal cell biology while simultaneously advancing our knowledge of eukaryotic evolution.