Allen W. Nicholson

Biography

Dr Allen Nicholson is a distinguished biochemist and researcher at Temple University's College of Science and Technology and chairperson of the department of chemistry.Dr Nicholson had been a member of the faculty at Wayne State University for 17 years, the past two as interim chair of the department of biological sciences.

Research Interest

Although trained as a chemist, Nicholson has evolved into a molecular biologist. His research, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, focuses on understanding how cellular and viral genes are expressed and regulated.Dr Nicholson and his group are analyzing Ribonucleases--proteins whose role is to recognize and cut RNA molecules--which have profound effects on gene expression and can control cell growth and cell type. Genetically engineered ribonucleases are now being used as a next-generation drug to fight cancer.One particular ribonuclease Nicholson has been studying is a central participant in a fundamental cellular process called RNA interference.