Personal profile
Research
Work in the Staples laboratory focuses largely on the characterisation of novel genome stability factors. Genome instability and DNA damage are central pathogenic mechanisms involved in cancer predisposition, premature ageing and neurodegeneration. Indeed, some cancer therapies target cancer-specific defects in DNA repair or replication fork protection mechanisms, and as such a complete understanding of such mechanisms is a major asset in the fight against cancer.
We have identified several novel DNA repair and replication fork protection factors, and our aim is to gain mechanistic insight into the function of these largely unstudied proteins with the ultimate goal of using this knowledge to design novel cancer therapies and/or predict therapeutic response.
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Credits
MSE-3016 Pathophysiology (10 credits) - Module Organiser
MSE-2025 Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (10 credits)
MSE-3013 Third Year Research Project
MSE-4025 Dissertation
Teaching and Supervision Roles
Undergraduate project/dissertation supervision. Supervision of PhD, MSc and MRes students.
Other roles
College representative on Research Concordat Committee
External and internal viva voce examiner
Teaching and Scholarship Awards
PGCertHE Stage 1 (2017)
PGCertHE Stage 2 (2018)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Education/Academic qualification
Postgraduate, PhD, Regulation of MAP kinase phosphatases, University of Dundee
1 Oct 2006 → 31 Oct 2010
External positions
Postdoctoral research associate, University of Sheffield
20 Nov 2010 → 30 Aug 2015
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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IFI16 senses and protects stalled replication forks
Gamble, A., Ward, T., Wheeler, O. P. G., Morris, J., Jones, C., Bennett, L., Vernon, E., Thanendran, V., Ceppi, I., Halder, S., Borrello, D., Walker, T. D. J., Rajan, J., Suleiman, H., Harrison, D., Ashetiwi, M., Dunphy, C., Jackson-Jones, L. H., Cejka, P. & Unterholzner, L. & 1 others, , 8 Jan 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Molecular Cell.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
Typhoid Toxin of Salmonella enterica Induces ISG15 Responses Mediating Host Cell Survival and Counteracting Intracellular Infection
Stark, D. S., King, M., Ibler, A. E. M., Srour, S., Brown, F., Sheffield, J., Baseer, N., Vernon, E. G., Zhang, Y., Staples, C., Radoshevich, L. & Humphreys, D., 13 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Molecular Microbiology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Assessment of DNA fibers to track replication dynamics
Bennett, L. G. & Staples, C. J., 13 Feb 2024, In: Methods in cell biology. 182, p. 285-298 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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MRNIP limits ssDNA gaps during replication stress
Bennett, L., Vernon, E., Thanendran, V., Jones, C., Gamble, A. & Staples, C., 12 Aug 2024, In: Nucleic Acids Research. 52, 14Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
CDK4/6 inhibitor-mediated cell overgrowth triggers osmotic and replication stress to promote senescence
Crozier, L., Foy, R., adib, R., Kar, A., Holt, J., Pareri, A., Valverde, J., Riviera, R., Weston, W., Wilson, R., Regnault, C., Whitfield, P., Badonyi, M., Bennett, L., Vernon, E., Gamble, A., Marsh, J., Staples, C., Saurin, A. & Barr, A. & 1 others, , 16 Nov 2023, In: Molecular Cell. 83, 22, p. 4062-4077 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile124 Downloads (Pure)
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Exploitation of Pronounced Cancer Cell Death Upon Dual Loss of DNA End Protection and Nuclease Restraint
Staples, C. (PI)
3/06/26 → 17/12/28
Project: Research
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New radiosensitizers for triple-negative breast cancer
Staples, C. (PI)
1/07/24 → 15/07/27
Project: Research
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Daughter Strand Gaps as determinants of chemoresistance
Staples, C. (PI)
3/06/24 → 30/06/26
Project: Research
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A novel role for the innate immune sensor IFI16 in the cancer cell response to chemotherapy
Staples, C. (PI)
1/01/24 → 31/03/28
Project: Research
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Regulation of chemosensitivity by the novel daughter strand gap suppressor MRNIP
Staples, C. (PI)
1/12/23 → 15/12/26
Project: Research
Activities
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BU-IIA Funded Project: Drug Target in Pancreatic Cancer
Staples, C. (Contributor)
1 Apr 2022 → 31 Mar 2023Activity: Other
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BBSRC reviewer
Staples, C. (Contributor)
20 Jun 2021Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
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The Role of HERC2 in Ciliogenesis
Staples, C. (Speaker)
17 May 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Peer reviewer for the Humane Research Trust
Staples, C. (Contributor)
9 May 2021Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
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NWCR Scientific Committee Membership
Staples, C. (Contributor)
9 May 2021 → …Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups