Dr Miriam Sharpe

FRST Research Fellow
Miriam Sharpe
  • Biochemistry Department
  • School of Medical Sciences
  • University of Otago
  • P.O. Box 56
  • 710 Cumberland St
  • Dunedin 9054 , New Zealand
  • Tel.: +64 3 479-5148
  • FAX: +64 3 479-7866
  • e-mail:miriam.sharpe@otago.ac.nz

Research:

I am interested in production of light by the New Zealand glowworm, and the proteins that catalyse and control this bioluminescence. By investigating the structures and mechanisms of action of these proteins, I hope to develop new bioluminescent biotechnological tools.

My other interests include the characterisation of neuraminidases from drug-resistant influenza strains, the development of new inhibitors of influenza neuraminidases, and the structure and function of alanine racemases from pathogenic bacteria.

Previously I have investigated the structures of polycomb proteins involved in epigenetic marking in humans, and proteins upregulated in latent tuberculosis.

Current funding is provided by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Selected Publications:

Margueron R, Justin N, Ohno K, Sharpe ML, Son J, Drury WJ, Voigt P, Martin S,
Taylor WR, De Marco V, Pirrotta V, Reinberg D, Gamblin SJ. (2009) Role of the polycomb protein EED in the propagation of repressive histone marks. Nature. 461: 762-767.

Sharpe ML, Gao C, Kendall SL, Baker EN, Lott JS. (2008) The structure and
unusual protein chemistry of Hypoxic Response Protein 1, a latency antigen and
highly expressed member of the DosR regulon in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Journal of Molecular Biology. 383 (4): 822-836.

Sharpe ML, Baker EN, Lott JS. (2005) Crystallization of a protein using dehydration
without a precipitant. Acta Crystallographica Section F. F61: 565-568.

Sharpe M, Love C, Marshall C. (2001) Lactate dehydrogenase from the Antarctic
eelpout, Lycodichthys dearborni. Polar Biology. 24 (4): 258-269.