Dundee research highlighted for 10th Anniversary of Open Biology

To kick off a year of celebration, Subject Editors have highlighted their favourite articles from the past decade. Of the nine top publications selected, two are from Dundee, with work from the research groups of Julian Blow and Miratul Muqit being highlighted. 

Only published last month, “The role of DDK and Treslin–MTBP in coordinating replication licensing and pre-initiation complex formation” from the Blow lab is a favourite of the cell and molecular biology subject editor. This “particularly comprehensive and insightful study” explains in detail the finely tuned activity that is required for the initiation of DNA replication. The editor concluded, “this is a beautiful study that typifies the quality and depth that we welcome in Open Biology.”

The neuroscience subject editor selected “Phosphorylation of Parkin at serine 65 is essential for its activation in vivo” from the Muqit lab and colleagues. Published in 2018, this work confirmed that a key cellular pathway that protects the brain from damage is disrupted in Parkinson’s patients, raising the possibility of new treatments for the disease. The editors stated the work by “an international team of scientists led by the University of Dundee” was a “standout paper.” They also highlighted that “the study remains one of the most cited” in the journal “highlighting the importance of this ‘molecular switch’ in Parkinson’s patients.” 

To read more and see all selected papers.

Open Biology also caught up with some of their first authors to ask them to reflect on their research and experience of publishing with the journal. Miratul Muqit was one of those authors. Read his Q&A.