Research Prize to Constance Alabert

Constance Alabert, postdoctoral fellow at BRIC, receives the "young elite-researcher prize" from the Danish Council for Independent research

Constance will be working on the project "Chromatin challenge during DNA replication" in the laboratory headed by Anja Groth. The aim of the project is to identify the mechanisms that ensure correct reconstruction of chromatin during cell division. As duplication of DNA is a dynamic process that involves the whole genome, it is a big challenge to elucidate the individual molecular events in the process. In order to do so, a part of the project will involve development of a new method whereby newly synthesized DNA can be analyzed as it is assembling into chromatin. A detailed characterisation of this coming chromatin will provide new understanding of how dividing cells maintain the correct chromatin structure. Replication of chromatin is a basal process in all eukaryotic organisms and is essential for maintenance of a healthy organism. Disturbance of the process can lead to loss of genetic and epigenetic information in the cells and knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving the process will be important for development of future treatment strategies of diseases like cancer.

Constance Alabert holds a MSc in biochemistry, biology and health and have achieved her PhD degree in biology and health from University of Montpellier II 2008. In May 2009 Constance Alabert initiated her career as a postdoctoral fellow at BRIC. Constance has published in high rank journals including Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Molecular Cell and EMBO journal.