Prof Michael Green

Professor of Biomolecular Sciences

contact:
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Moulsecoomb
Brighton
BN2 4GJ

Telephone: +44 (0)1273 644542

Email: M.H.L.Green@brighton.ac.uk

Research Interests

• Patterns of DNA damage caused by endogenous mutagens
• The role of DNA damage in diabetes and other diseases
• Effects of sunlight in the immune system
• How ultraviolet light kills human cells
• Potential therapeutic applications of Ultraviolet B.
• Environmental mutagenesis.
• Repair of DNA damage in human cells.

DNA damage

My main research interest is DNA damage. How can we measure it? How can it be repaired? We know it is involved in cancer, but is it also involved in neurodegenerative diseases or diabetes? Contrary to popular belief, industrial chemicals do not constitute a major source of damage to our DNA. Far more important are diet and smoking. Moreover, our bodies are constantly forming molecules which can damage our DNA, some as by products of normal metabolism, some as signalling or defence molecules. I am particularly interested in these "endogenous mutagens".

Measurement of DNA damage by the Comet assay

The Comet assay is a sensitive and versatile procedure for detecting DNA damage in mammalian cells and we use it in a range of studies. Cells are embedded in agar on a microscope slide and lysed. The DNA of the nucleus remains trapped in the agar. When an electric current is applied, damaged DNA is dragged from the nucleus in a comet tail. Undamaged DNA remains trappped. Mrs Jill Lowe is in charge of the assay in our laboratory.

Nitric oxide and endogenous mutagens in diabetes

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the insulin-secreting β-cells in islets of Langerhans are destroyed. As part of this process the β-cells are exposed to signalling molecules called cytokines. In collaboration with Professors Irene Green and Adrian Bone we have been using the Comet assay to study how cytokines trigger nitric oxide release in the β-cells and how this nitric oxide can lead to DNA damage. We are trying to find out what sort of damage is formed, and whether it can be repaired.

New catalytic antioxidants to prevent neurodegeneration

Ataxia-telangiectasia is rare genetic disease where, in addition to other serious problems, the children progressively lose the ability to move through loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Oxidative damage may be involved in this process. In collaboration with Drs Peter Cragg and Richard Faragher, we have been developing and testing a new class of antioxidant molecules, which are low molecular weight and can reach the brain, (like the antioxidant vitamins C or E) but which are more efficent because they can act as catalyts to remove potential harmful reactive oxygen species.  The hope is that this type of molecule may delay neurodegeneration.

Health effects of UVB and sunlight

Sunlight can cause skin cancer in two separate ways. It can damage the DNA of skin cells and cause them to mutate to potential cancer cells. It also affects the immune system, allowing mutated cells to escape and grow out to form tumours. We have been investigating how the UV component of sunlight  causes this second process.

DNA repair and mutation in human cells

In a number of rare human genetic diseases, the patients and their cells are unable to repair DNA damage normally. In some but not all cases this leads to increased sensitivity to cancer. Studying these cells can help us to understand the mechanisms leading to cancer and immunosuppression. 

Recent Publications