My Expertise
Genetics and microbiology.
CRISPR gene editing
Epigenetics
Human genetic disease
Gene therapy
Field of Research (FoR)
SEO tags
Biography
ABOUT ME
Biography
Merlin Crossley is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at UNSW and Professor of Molecular Biology. He has also worked or studied at the Universities of Melbourne, Oxford, Harvard and Sydney. He has been recognized by numerous awards, including a Rhodes Scholarship and the Australian Academy of Science's Gottschalk Medal. He has made significant contributions to academic administration, serving as Dean at UNSW since 2010, and...view more
ABOUT ME
Biography
Merlin Crossley is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at UNSW and Professor of Molecular Biology. He has also worked or studied at the Universities of Melbourne, Oxford, Harvard and Sydney. He has been recognized by numerous awards, including a Rhodes Scholarship and the Australian Academy of Science's Gottschalk Medal. He has made significant contributions to academic administration, serving as Dean at UNSW since 2010, and previously having been Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at the University of Sydney from 2006 to 2008.
Education
- BSc Hons (Melb) 1986
- DPhil (Oxon) 1990
RESEARCH
Research Goals
- Fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation
- Epigenetics
- Artificial DNA-binding proteins
- Blood development
- Haemophilia
- Sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia
- Obesity and diabetes
Research in Detail
We are interested in understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms by which genes are controlled. Ultimately we hope to treat chronic diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia or diabetes, by turning on beneficial genes or repressing harmful genes.
Research Grants
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National Health and Medical Research Council Project APP1098391 Editing beneficial single nucleotide polymorphisms into the genome: A new approach to genetic disease M.Crossley, 2016-8, $646,979
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National Health and Medical Research Council Project APP1025877 Transcriptional regulation of globin genes M. Crossley and R. Pearson, 2012-14, $636,325
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National Health and Medical Research Council Project APP1025873 Transcriptional control of megakaryopoiesis M. Crossley, K. Ravid, T. Gonda and R. Pearson, 2012-14, $651,010
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National Health and Medical Research Council Project APP1009172 Identifying regulators of the DNA damage response and tumourigenesis using C.elegans H. Nicholas and M. Crossley, 2011-13, $496,706
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National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant ID632877 The transcriptional control of adipogenesis M.Crossley and K. Bell-Anderson, 2010-12, $535,125
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP180103785 One code to rule them all: synthesis of the transcription factor and histone code J.P.Mackay, M. Crossley, K.K.J. Low and K.G.R. Quinlan, 2018-20, $598,198
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP 170101786 Designer DNA-binding proteins M. Crossley and K. Quinlan, 2017-9, $428,000
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP150103503 Role of methylation in transcription factor activity M. Crossley and J.P. Mackay, 2015-7, $428,100
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP120103798 Functional analysis of a nucleic acid binding protein essential for mammalian development J.P. Mackay and M. Crossley, 2012-14, $458,000
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP0984682 A new mechanism of gene regulation J.P. Mackay and M. Crossley, 2009-11, $660,000
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Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP0986928 The transcriptional co-repressor C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP) in metabolic control H. Nicholas and M. Crossley, 2009-11, $290,000
Current PhD Students
Tanit Chavalit
Alexander Knights
Gabriella Martyn
Beth Stout
Manan Shah
Lana Ly
Emily Vohralik
Current Post-doctoral researchers
Kate Quinlan now a Scientia Fellow
Lu Yang
Supervision Opportunities/Areas
Please contact Kate.Quinlan@unsw.edu.au
TEACHING & OUTREACH
Courses I contribute to teaching
BIOC2201 Principles of Molecular Biology (Advanced)
BABS3121 Molecular Biology of Nucleic Acids
BABS3281 Molecular Genomics
Current professional affiliations and service positions
Board Member, Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) 2013–present
Trust Member, Australian Museum 2012–present
Board Member, New South Innovations 2011–present
Council Member, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia Council 2011–2015
Board Member, Sydney Institute of Marine Science 2010-17
Advisory Committee, Australian Astronomical Observatory, 2017-present
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Rhodes Scholarship 1987
Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Roche Medal 1999
Royal Society of NSW Sir Edgeworth David Medal 2000
Australian Academy of Science Gottschalk Medal 2002
Julian Wells Medal, Lorne Genome Conference 2010
Fellow Queen’s College, Melbourne 2014
Fellow Royal Society of New South Wales 2014
