• BSc (Hons) University of Wales (Cardiff)
• PhD University of Wales (Cardiff)
  

Chris Franklin initially trained as a microbiologist at the University of Cardiff . He then worked as postdoctoral scientist in the UK, Germany and Switzerland during which time he gained experience in molecular biology and genetics. He was then appointed to the Department of Genetics (now part of the School of Biosciences) here in Birmingham. Since then he has worked in the area of plant molecular cell biology and molecular cytogenetics.

Genetics degree label leader. Teaches genetics and molecular biology in 2nd and 3rd year modules and MSc.

For a list of possible PhD projects offered by Prof Franklin www.findaphd.com/search/customlink.asp?inst=birm-Biol&supersurname=Franklin

Research Theme within School of Biosciences: Molecular and Cell Biology

Control of recombination during meiosis

Meiosis occupies a central role in the life cycles of all sexually reproducing eukaryotes. An understanding of this process is critical to furthering research on reproduction, fertility, genetics and breeding. Meiosis is a specialized form of cell-division during which a single round of DNA replication is followed by two cell-divisions thereby reducing the chromosome content from diploid to haploid. Accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes at the first meiotic division is dependent on the formation of physical connections, known as chiasmata, between homologous chromosome pairs (homologues). Chiasmata arise from homologous recombination during prophase I of meiosis and are the physical manifestation of genetic crossovers. In their absence the homologues segregate at random leading to the formation of aneuploid gametes following the separation of the sister chromatids at the second meiotic division.

The Franklin lab is using a combination of molecular cytogenetics and molecular cell biology to elucidate the mechanisms that control the frequency and distribution of crossover events along the chromosomes using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This includes an EC funded collaborative research project in which we are using a systems biology approach to define the protein networks that control meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis We are particularly interested in the relationship between the proteins that modulate meiotic chromosome organization and the recombination pathway machinery.

Also we have a BBSRC funded program of work with colleagues in the UK aimed at developing strategies to manipulate recombination frequency and distribution in barley. Studies have shown that large segments ~70% of cereal chromosomes are recombinationally silent. This has a severe impact on the genetic variation available to plant breeders. Hence the aim of the work is modify recombination to free-up this variation. This work is likely to make an important contribution to efforts to ensure food security in the 21^st century.

Self-incompatibility in flowering plants. I have an ongoing collaboration with Prof Noni Franklin-Tong (School of Biosciences) in the study of self-incompatibility (SI) in Papaver rhoeas. We are currently developing approaches to transfer the Papaver SI system to other plant species including the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and cereal crops to explore its potential use in the production of F1 hybrid varietie

Selected recent publications:

Chen Z, Higgins JD, Hui JTL, Franklin FCH and Berger F.(2011) Retinoblastoma protein is essential for early meiotic events in Arabidopsis. EMBO J. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2010.344 

Higgins JD., Ferdous M., Osman K. and Franklin FCH. (2011)The RecQ helicase AtRECQ4A is required to remove inter-chromosomal telomeric connections that arise during meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis. The Plant Journal DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2010.04438.

Wheeler MJ, de Graaf BH, Hadjiosif N, Perry RM, Poulter NS, Osman K, Vatovec S, Harper A, Franklin FC, Franklin-Tong VE (2009) Identification of the pollen self-incompatibility determinant in Papaver rhoeas. Nature 459: 992-995.

Osman K., Sanchez-Moran E., Mann SC. Jones GH and FranklinFCH. (2009) Replication protein A (AtRPA1a) is required for Class I crossover formation but is dispensable for meiotic DNA break repair. EMBO J. 28(4):394-404.

Higgins JD., Buckling EF., Franklin FCH. and Jones GH (2008) Expression and functional analysis of AtMUS81 in Arabidopsis meiosis reveals a role in the second pathway of crossing-over. The Plant Journal 54, 152-162.

Sanchez-Moran E., Santos JL., Jones GH. and Franklin FCH (2007) ASY1 mediates AtDMC1-dependent interhomolog recombination during meiosis in Arabidopsis. Genes and Development 21, 2220-2233.

Jones GH. and Franklin FCH. (2006) Meiotic crossing over: obligation and interference. Cell 126, 10-12.

Jackson N., Sanchez-Moran E., Buckling E., Armstrong SJ., Jones GH. and Franklin FCH. (2006) Reduced meiotic crossovers and delayed prophase I progression in AtMLH3-deficient Arabidopsis. The EMBO Journal 25, 1315-1323.

Higgins JD., Sanchez-Moran E., Armstrong SJ., Jones GH. and Franklin FCH. (2005) The Arabidopsis synaptonemal complex protein ZYP1 is required for normal fidelity of crossing-over and chromosome synapsis (2005) Genes and Development 19, 2488-2500.

Higgins JD., Armstrong SJ., Franklin FCH and Jones GH. (2004) The Arabidopsis MutS homolog AtMSH4 functions at an early step in recombination: evidence for two classes of recombination in Arabidopsis. Genes and Development 18, 2557-2570.