Sergei Mirkin
Encyclopedia
Sergei Mirkin is a Russian-American molecular biologist. He holds the White Family Chair of Biology at Tufts University
.
. From 1978 to 1989, he worked in the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences
. In 1983, he received a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology (advisor – Roman B. Khesin), after which he joined the laboratory of Maxim Frank-Kamenetskii (currently, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
). In 1989, he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago
, where he worked until moving on to the position of the White Family Chair of Biology at Tufts University
, in 2007.
structure of H-DNA (triplex DNA, Triple-stranded DNA
) and discovery of the fact that trinucleotude repeats in DNA inhibit replication of the genome, which is likely to be the cause for more than 30 hereditary disorders in humans, including Fragile X syndrome
, Huntington's disease
, Myotonic dystrophy
and Friedreich's ataxia
. The former was done in Russia and the latter in the US.
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
.
History
Sergei Mirkin was born in 1956 in Moscow, Russia. His father was a professional violin player. His mother gave up playing cello to be an engineer. In 1978, he received a Masters degree in Genetics from the Moscow State UniversityMoscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
. From 1978 to 1989, he worked in the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
. In 1983, he received a Ph.D. degree in Molecular Biology (advisor – Roman B. Khesin), after which he joined the laboratory of Maxim Frank-Kamenetskii (currently, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
). In 1989, he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...
, where he worked until moving on to the position of the White Family Chair of Biology at Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, in 2007.
Work
His work focuses on unusual DNA structures and their role in genomic instability, as well as on dynamic mutations, such as Trinucleotide repeat disorders. His major scientific accomplishments include discovery of triple helixTriple helix
In geometry, a triple helix is a set of three congruent geometrical helices with the same axis, differing by a translation along the axis. Structures in the form of a triple helix include:* collagen helix...
structure of H-DNA (triplex DNA, Triple-stranded DNA
Triple-stranded DNA
A triple-stranded DNA is a structure of DNA in which three oligonucleotides wind around each other and form a triple helix. In this structure, one strand binds to a B-form DNA double helix through Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds....
) and discovery of the fact that trinucleotude repeats in DNA inhibit replication of the genome, which is likely to be the cause for more than 30 hereditary disorders in humans, including Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome , Martin–Bell syndrome, or Escalante's syndrome , is a genetic syndrome that is the most commonly known single-gene cause of autism and the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability...
, Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease, chorea, or disorder , is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea...
, Myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is a chronic, slowly progressing, highly variable inherited multisystemic disease. It is characterized by wasting of the muscles , cataracts, heart conduction defects, endocrine changes, and myotonia. Myotonic dystrophy can occur in patients of any age...
and Friedreich's ataxia
Friedreich's ataxia
Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system, resulting in symptoms ranging from gait disturbance to speech problems; it can also lead to heart disease and diabetes....
. The former was done in Russia and the latter in the US.