Single-cell analysis in forensic science: the SCAnDi project
Single-cell and single molecule analysis for DNA identification
Biography
As research assistant within the Neil Hall group here in the department of Organisms and Ecosystems, I am assisting with projects relating to plant pathogens which infect our wheat and sugar beet crops.
For part of the project I am working between the Earlham Institute and Rothamsted Research under the direction of Dr. Mark McMullan.
Prior to working at the Earlham Institute, I was laboratory supervisor for the environmental department of Gardline Ltd. located in Great Yarmouth, UK. Prior to that I was production associate II at Qiagen Genomics located in Bothell, Washington, USA.
Previous to that I started out as laboratory assistant at J.G.Boswell Co. located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley of California where I was born and raised. With the combination of my previous experience and formal education I bring with me a wealth of scientific experience including SOP development and laboratory technique skills as well as laboratory design and development.
Publications
Related reading.
Image
16 June 2015
Science
FEATURE
| 8 min READ
Sex between crop pathogens – not so bad after all?
Image
14 July 2025
Science
FEATURE
| 3 min READ
Mapping cellular dynamics with the lichen cell atlas
Lichens thrive in the most extreme environments on earth; growing inside solid rock, and even surviving the vacuum of space. What can we learn from this fascinating and ancient partnership between two organisms?
Image
30 June 2025
Science
Technology
FEATURE
| 5 min READ
Pangenome annotation opens up a multiverse of genes
Researchers at the Earlham Institute are gaining deeper insights into genetic diversity with pangenome annotation.
Image
25 June 2025
Science
FEATURE
| 8 min READ
Integrating single-cell and spatial genomics across the tree of life
New methods for visualising and sequencing genetic material from a single cell are allowing scientists to explore fundamental questions about living systems.
Image
16 June 2025
Science
Technology
FEATURE
Every cell tells a story: single-cell analysis in forensic science
DNA analysis has transformed forensic science - but interpreting mixtures of DNA from multiple individuals can be a challenge. Could single-cell analysis help?
Image
11 June 2025
Policy
Science
FEATURE
| 5 min READ
Examining the science of evidence-based policy
Research institutes need to navigate a complex relationship between science and government policy. Working collaboratively on policy can bring significant benefits.
Image
June 05, 2025
Policy
Science
FEATURE
| 3 min READ
Why gene editing is vital to protect nature
If you care about nature, then you should care about gene editing. Gene editing can increase crop yields without habitat loss and reduce reliance on toxic chemicals which destroy nature.
18 June 2025
Image
ELIXIR-UK awarded strategic funding to support UK life sciences data community
ELIXIR-UK has been awarded a five-year grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
02 June 2025
Image
Scientists look to biotechnology to improve crop resilience and nutritional value
A new project - funded by a £8.5M grant from the UK Government’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) - will leverage advances in engineering biology to establish synthetic plant chromosome (synPAC) technologies.
14 May 2025
Image
Precision Breeding for plants signed into law
Regulations to enable Precision Breeding in plants has been signed into law by the government.
12 May 2025
Image
Starting point of DNA replication mystery solved
The question of where DNA replication starts in the human genome has finally been addressed, with the conclusion it is largely random.
16 April 2025
Image
Starship discovery reveals new frontiers of fungal genome evolution
New insights into large mobile fungal genome elements, called Starships, have revealed more about how they jump between fungal species and influence their evolution.
09 January 2025
Image
New sequenced genome sheds light on weed resistance
Genomic advances reveal how similar weeds can dominate wheat fields that are geographically separated by over 5,000 miles.
09 January 2025
Image
Government committed to unlocking precision breeding technology
The UK Government has committed to a timeline for introducing legislation that will empower researchers, companies, farmers, and consumers to benefit from precision breeding techniques.
20 November 2024
Image
Low-protein diets offer protective effect during bacterial infection
Reducing the amount of protein in your diet might benefit your immune system during an infection, according to a new study in human cells and mice.
12 November 2024
Image
Molecular tape recorder chronicles timeline of plant gene expression
A molecular tape recorder has been able to chronicle the timeline of genetic activity that sets in motion the development of two important features in plants - lateral roots and stomata.