After completing BSc Hons/MSc studies with Bruce Holloway, Microbiology Department, The University of Melbourne (1958-1959), Barry Egan took up PhD studies with Larry Morse at the Biophysics Department, University of Colorado from 1960 to 1964 and postdoctoral studies with Dave Hogness at the Biochemistry Department, Stanford University from 1964 to 1967. He joined the Biochemistry Department as Senior Lecturer at Adelaide University under leadership of Bill Elliott. There he played a seminal role in the development of molecular biology in the Department, both through his own research but particularly by instituting and coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate educational programs, and evening courses to secondary school science teachers. He was also heavily involved in the introduction of recombinant DNA technology to the Department in 1976. Barry was promoted to Reader in 1984, Professor in 1998, and was Departmental Head in 1993 and Deputy Head from 1989 to 1995. In December 2001 he formally retired and was appointed to his position of Adjunct Professor at the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science.

Inside a bistable genetic switch
by Professor Barry Egan

Integrated into the genetic circuits of all organisms are switches that control, in response to transient signals, the expression of sets of genes associated with alternative developmental pathways. However, their effective study in multicellular organisms is complicated not only for technical reasons but also by the existence of a large number of interdependent gene regulatory networks. This introduces our interest in characterising the molecular operation of a simple model genetic switch that is experimentally tractable.

There are many experimental advantages associated with studying the genetic networks of viruses infecting the bacterium Escherichia coli. In collaboration with structural biologists and mathematical modellers, we are studying in two unrelated E. coli viruses the genetic switches that allow the choice of entry into a dormant proviral state, or entry into a developmental state actively producing mature viral progeny.

Barry will present the molecular mechanisms that bestow two characteristic properties to these genetic switches: The ability to respond efficiently to a signal via positive feedback, and the ability to stably maintain a developmental state via negative feedback.

New Fellows Seminar

Professor Jenny Marshall Graves
Comparative genome analysis: Filling an evolutionary gap

Special election

Professor Robin Warren FRCPA Nobel Laureate
Helicobacter, active gastritis and duodenal ulcers

New Fellows

Dr Brian Boyle
Cosmic censuses

Professor Lorenzo Faraone
Infrared micro-spectrometer technologies for sensing applications in the chemical/biological, agriculture/food, biomedical and defence arenas

Professor David Hinde
Nuclear fusion forming the heaviest elements

Professor Andrew Holmes AM FRS
Seeing the light with polymers

Professor Roger Powell
A thermodynamic framework for modelling Earth processes

Professor Igor Shparlinski
Numbers at work and play

Professor Michelle Simmons
How to Observe Quantum Behaviour in Semiconductor Devices

Professor David Allen
Muscle damage caused by stretch: role in muscular dystrophy

Professor Mark Burgman
The role of science in conservation debates

Professor Barry Egan
Inside a bistable genetic switch

Professor Brian Kay
New approaches to control mosquito-borne disease

Professor Evan Simpson
Oestrogens – the good, the bad, and the unexpected

Professor Jonathan Sprent FRS
Boosting cytokine function with antibodies

Professor Susanne von Caemmerer
Relating chloroplast biochemistry to gas exchange of leaves: insights from transgenic plants