Dr Clare Davies

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Arginine methylation – a new player in cancer pathogenesis

Protein modifications expand the functional diversity of the proteome enabling dynamic modulation of cellular processes, but are often deregulated during cancer pathogenesis. Arginine methylation, catalysed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), was identified over 45 years ago, however the significance of this modification for oncogenesis and malignant progression is only just becoming apparent. In particular, expression of many PRMTs correlates with a poorer cancer prognosis and has thus attracted significant attention as a novel drug target. Despite this potential, the mechanisms by which PRMTs contribute to cancer progression is largely unknown. The Davies lab aims to increase our understanding into the biology of PRMTs and arginine methylation. Using breast cancer as a model, the questions we are currently addressing are:

How is PRMT5 regulating the DNA damage response?
What is the mechanism by which PRMT5 controls the function of breast cancer stem cells?
Do PRMTs initiate and/or facilitate cancer progression and can a cancer arginine methylome be identified?

To address all of these questions, the Davies lab takes a multidisciplinary approach that includes molecular and cell biology, flow cytometry, quantitative proteomics, protein biochemistry (methylation assays, immunoprecipitations), genomic analysis (RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq), single cell analysis, analysis of patient sample by IHC and functional assays, microscopy and animal models of cancer (genetically engineered, cell line xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs)).

Research Groups

The Davies Laboratory

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: supportive, organised, goal-driven.

Provision of Training

Technical training will be supervised by a member of the team who is an expert on that technique. We follow the 3-step approach: (1) demonstrate the assay; (2) watch you do the assay; (3) let you have a go independently with team members at hand. As time progresses, I would expect you to be able to troubleshoot methodology and think independently, all part of the training process!

Progression Monitoring and Management

We will have a weekly one to one meeting on a Monday. At the start, I will help you plan your week, but as time goes on your will come with your planner and we will discuss what has been completed and what needs to be the next step. The one-to-one meetings are also an opportunity for you to describe your results to me (I can see if this is correct, and what has been missed), so this helps with training into data interpretation. We can also discuss your own ideas and ways in which to approach the question. I also have high expectations, and will try and develop you to your full potential.

Communication

The team has a Slack group chat with which we regularly communicate during the week. Whilst I expect you to keep up with my/ team communications I will expect you to manage your work/life balance. I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same or respond immediately. I take mentorship seriously, and I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once a week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once a week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once a fortnight

These meetings will usually be face to face. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is flexible, and other than attending pre-arranged meetings, I expect students to manage their own time. However, it is recommended that the student is in the lab during core hours as to be able to interact with other lab members. Working at weekend and late at night may also be required, depending on the experiments.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Functional and mechanistic investigations into the importance of PADI enzymes for DNA repair

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

CASE: Exploring how MTAP deficiency impacts on PRMT5- mediated DNA repair