
Biography
Nicola Patron is a molecular and synthetic biologist interested in the natural and engineered transfer of genetic material between genomes of different species. Her lab is focused on engineering photosynthetic organisms for industrial biotechnology and crops that are healthier to consume and less environmentally damaging to cultivate.
Nicola obtained her PhD in plant molecular biology studying recombination between viruses and viral transgenes inserted into plant genomes. In post-doctoral research at The John Innes Centre, U.K. and The University of British Columbia, Canada she studied the impact that genes transferred from endosymbionts have on cellular metabolism and function, and evolution of endosymbiont genomes. From 2009-2013 Nicola was based in Melbourne, Australia leading a plant molecular biology group working with industry. Achievements included precision genome editing and targeted gene transfer with programmable nucleases. In 2013, Nicola returned to the UK to head a new Synthetic Biology venture at The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich before moving to EI.
As recipient of a 2015 SynbioLEAP fellowship, Nicola was recognised as an emerging leader in synthetic biology with a vision and aspiration to shape biotechnology for the public good. She is particularly interested the societal impacts of synthetic biology and the complex intellectual property issues that surround genetic sequences, DNA and natural products. Nicola is an advocate of responsible and ethical innovation and of open-source tools for biotechnology. She is also active in promoting diversity and inclusivity in science.
Projects
Publications
Related reading.

On the origin of errors: the causes and consequences of mistakes during DNA replication

Why is genome annotation important?

Why cloud computing is important for data-driven bioscience research

How bioinformatics can crack the complex case of protist biodiversity

The dramatic effects genomics will have on our future world

The inextricable link between climate change and biodiversity.

Hidden Biodiversity: How genomics can save nature’s secrets before they’re lost forever

Not all looks rosy for the pink pigeon

Coronavirus jams communication signals to immune cells in the gut

Precision medicine tool finds hidden genetic connections that could personalise IBD treatment

Deciphering gut microbiome ‘chatter’ to combat IBD

New legislation granted to progress plant gene editing in UK

'Molecular Facebook’ signals researchers to right path for understanding cell function in disease
