Professor Jon R Sayers

FRSB

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Professor of Functional Genomics

Professor Jon Sayers
Profile picture of Professor Jon Sayers
j.r.sayers@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9552

Full contact details

Professor Jon R Sayers
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
L Floor
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½
S10 2RX
Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

I teach graduate classes in biochemistry, protein/DNA sequence analysis, protein engineering of novel therapeutics and structure-based drug discovery.

I studied Chemistry (University of Birmingham, B.Sc. 1983) where I went on to gain a Ph.D. (1986) in the Nucleic Acids Group. Thesis title; Synthesis of Nucleoside Analogues. In 1986 I joined Fritz Eckstein’s group (Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine, Goettingen, to study restriction endonuclease-DNA interactions and helped develop a commercial system for site-directed mutagenesis (the 'phosphorothioate approach').

I also became interested in flap endonucleases, or 5'-3' exonucleases. In 1991 I moved to a Lectureship in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Wales, Bangor, UK, where I established a research group working on various aspects of molecular recognition. I moved to º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ in 1995, was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1997, to a Readership in 1999 and a personal chair in 2006.

I have developed an interest in proteins secreted by Gram negative bacterial pathogens and how they interact with the host. We use a wide range of molecular and cell biological and biophysical techniques to unravel the detail of such interactions aided by close collaboration with structural biologists in º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ and the United States. I was elected as a Fellow of the  in 2013.

In 2001 I become a director and co-founder of Asterion Ltd., a biotech spin-off company (see Asterion Ltd.) and founded DeFENition Ltd in 2016 to develop inhibitors of essential bacterial enzymes as candidate antimicrobial agents. The latter builds on over thirty years of experience in mechanistic enzymology of flap endonucleases.

I have written an article for "The Biochemist" describing the trials and tribulations of an academic involved in the setting up of a spin-out company. It can be found under the Publications, All publications tab below.


COVID-19

My laboratory responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by manufacturing large quantities of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein (both and ) for use in diagnostics. We have made these proteins cheaply available via the University's website. 

Research interests

The group is involved in four main areas:

  • Structure-based drug design to generate new antimicrobial agents
  • Molecular mechanisms involved in protein:DNA interactions
  • Microbial proteases, pathogenesis and the host response
  • Biotechnology for biomedical research and drug development

Ongoing topics include the following:

A novel  discovered in a 5'-3' exonuclease could explain how this class of essential replicative enzymes digest their nucleic acids substrates by a . These enzymes are involved in replication of the lagging strand during DNA synthesis and in repair of DNA damage. Some members possess structure-specific endonuclease activity as well as exonuclease and RNase H activities. We have shown that a member of this important class of enzymes contains a novel DNA-binding motif, the helical arch (see above picture of the T5 exonuclease). We are using site-directed mutagenesis, crystallography and kinetic studies to determine how these complicated enzymes function. We have cloned and expressed a number of exonucleases from bacteria including the human pathogen Haemophilus influenzae. Early mechanistic work has been funded by the BBSRC, The Wellcome Trust. Translational research in this area has been funded by Innovate UK, The Department of Health and Social Welfare and DeFENition Ltd.

Protein-DNA Recognition

Many important biological processes such as gene expression are regulated by proteins binding to specific DNA sequences. We are studying novel DNA-binding proteins from viruses and pathogenic bacteria. We have chosen proteins with no sequence homologues in the databases. Such proteins are thus unique and studying how they recognize their target sequences should provide new insights into molecular recognition processes.

We discovered a strong link between high levels of IgA1 protease production and pathogenesis in  and  two meningitis-causing organisms. The protease attacks IgA1, a major component of the mucosal immune system. This work has been funded by The Meningitis Research Foundation, Colin Beattie Memorial Fund and the Medical Research Council.

We are carrying out hit-to-lead programmes targeting the Flap EndoNucleases (FENs), members of the 5'-3' / 5' nuclease family which process the branched DNA structures (5′ flaps) arising during DNA replication. FENs are found as independent globular proteins in eukaryotes including parasites, and as part of DNA polymerase I in bacteria. Knockouts of genes encoding FEN enzymes have proved lethal in all organisms tested to date. We use a combination of structural studies (X ray and NMR), in silico screening and structure-based drug design to develop specific inhibitors which may one day be developed into new drugs for treating bacterial and parasite infections.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Brudenell EL, Pohare MB, Zafred D, Phipps J, Hornsby HR, Darby JF, Dai J, Liggett E, Cain KM, Barran PE , de Silva TI et al (2024) . Biochemical Journal, 481(11), 669-682. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wong IN, Sayers JR & Sanders CM (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson IR, Pradhananga SL, Speak R, Artymiuk PJ, Sayers JR & Ross RJ (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6. RIS download Bibtex download
  • AlMalki FA, Flemming CS, Zhang J, Feng M, Sedelnikova SE, Ceska T, Rafferty JB, Sayers JR & Artymiuk PA (2016) . Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, 23, 640-646. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson CG, Syson K, Sengerová B, Atack JM, Sayers JR, Swanson L, Tainer JA, Williams NH & Grasby JA (2011) . J Biol Chem, 286(35), 30878-30887. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ferrandis E, Pradhananga SL, Touvay C, Kinoshita C, Wilkinson IR, Stafford K, Wu Z, Strasburger CJ, Sayers JR, Artymiuk PJ & Ross RJ (2010) . Clin Sci (Lond), 119(11), 483-491. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen LM, Hodskinson MRG & Sayers JR (2009) . Biochem J, 418(2), 285-292. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S, Phillips JS, Sayers J & Croucher PI (2007) . J Biol Chem, 282(43), 31601-31609. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson IR, Ferrandis E, Artymiuk PJ, Teillot M, Soulard C, Touvay C, Pradhananga SL, Justice S, Wu Z, Leung KC , Strasburger CJ et al (2007) . Nat Med, 13(9), 1108-1113. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hodskinson MRG, Allen LM, Thomson DP & Sayers JR (2007) . Nucleic Acids Res, 35(12), 4094-4102. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith P, Fallon RE, Mangan NE, Walsh CM, Saraiva M, Sayers JR, McKenzie ANJ, Alcami A & Fallon PG (2005) Schistosoma mansoni secretes a chemokine binding protein with antiinflammatory activity. J EXP MED, 202(10), 1319-1325. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Feng M, Patel D, Dervan JJ, Ceska T, Suck D, Haq I & Sayers JR (2004) . Nat Struct Mol Biol, 11(5), 450-456. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tock MR, Frary E, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (2003) . EMBO J, 22(5), 995-1004. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dervan JJ, Feng M, Patel D, Grasby JA, Artymiuk PJ, Ceska TA & Sayers JR (2002) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 99(13), 8542-8547. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S, Dunkin KT, Howard AJ & Sayers JR (2002) . JAMA, 287(13), 1699-1705. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Garforth SJ, Ceska TA, Suck D & Sayers JR (1999) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96(1), 38-43. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith MCM, Burns N, Sayers JR, Sorrell JA, Casjens SR & Hendrix RW (1998) Bacteriophage collagen. SCIENCE, 279(5358), 1834-1834. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ceska TA, Sayers JR, Stier G & Suck D (1996) A helical arch allowing single-stranded DNA to thread through T5 5'-exonuclease. NATURE, 382(6586), 90-93. RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Journal articles

  • Brudenell EL, Pohare MB, Zafred D, Phipps J, Hornsby HR, Darby JF, Dai J, Liggett E, Cain KM, Barran PE , de Silva TI et al (2024) . Biochemical Journal, 481(11), 669-682. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Williams DM, Hornsby HR, Shehata OM, Brown R, Gallis M, Meardon N, Newman TAH, Plowright M, Zafred D, Shun-Shion ASM , Hodder AJ et al (2023) . iScience, 107056-107056. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Colton H, Hodgson D, Hornsby H, Brown R, Mckenzie J, Bradley KL, James C, Lindsey BB, Birch S, Marsh L , Wood S et al (2022) . Wellcome Open Research, 6, 220. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chinnaiya K, Lawson MA, Thomas S, Haider M-T, Down J, Chantry AD, Hughes D, Green A, Sayers JR, Snowden JA & Zeidler MP (2017) . Haematologica, 102, e336-e339. RIS download Bibtex download
  • El-Faham MH, Wheatcroft-Francklow KJ, Price HP, Sayers JR & Doenhoff MJ (2017) . Parasitology. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wong IN, Sayers JR & Sanders CM (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson IR, Pradhananga SL, Speak R, Artymiuk PJ, Sayers JR & Ross RJ (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6. RIS download Bibtex download
  • AlMalki FA, Flemming CS, Zhang J, Feng M, Sedelnikova SE, Ceska T, Rafferty JB, Sayers JR & Artymiuk PA (2016) . Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, 23, 640-646. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson I, Pradhananga S, Sayers J, Artymiuk P, Phipps M & Ross R (2014) . Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 24, S14-S15. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wong IN, Sayers JR & Sanders CM (2013) . Nucleic Acids Res, 41(8), 4587-4600. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pradhananga SL, Wilkinson IR, Ferrandis E, Artymiuk PJ, Sayers JR & Ross RJ (2013) , 227-235. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Anstey-Gilbert CS, Hemsworth GR, Flemming CS, Hodskinson MRG, Zhang J, Sedelnikova SE, Stillman TJ, Sayers JR & Artymiuk PJ (2013) . Nucleic Acids Research. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson IR, Bielohuby M, Parry H, Thorpe A, Pradhananga S, Sayers JR, Artymiuk PJ, Bidlingmaier M & Ross RJ (2012) . Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 22, S6-S7. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Bielohuby M, Pradhananga S, Wilkinson IR, Sayers JR, Artymiuk PJ, Ross RJM & Bidlingmaier M (2012) . Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 22, S63-S63. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Guesdon F, Kaabi Y, Riley AH, Wilkinson IR, Gray C, James DC, Artymiuk PJ, Sayers JR & Ross RJ (2012) . Biosci Rep, 32(6), 653-660. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pradhananga S & Sayers JR (2012) . Biochemist, 34(1), 10-15. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tomlinson CG, Syson K, Sengerová B, Atack JM, Sayers JR, Swanson L, Tainer JA, Williams NH & Grasby JA (2011) . J Biol Chem, 286(35), 30878-30887. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Xie P & Sayers JR (2011) . PLoS ONE, 6(1). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sengerová B, Tomlinson C, Atack JM, Williams R, Sayers JR, Williams NH & Grasby JA (2010) . Biochemistry, 49(37), 8085-8093. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ferrandis E, Pradhananga SL, Touvay C, Kinoshita C, Wilkinson IR, Stafford K, Wu Z, Strasburger CJ, Sayers JR, Artymiuk PJ & Ross RJ (2010) . Clin Sci (Lond), 119(11), 483-491. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen LM, Hodskinson MRG & Sayers JR (2009) . Biochem J, 418(2), 285-292. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Syson K, Tomlinson C, Chapados BR, Sayers JR, Tainer JA, Williams NH & Grasby JA (2008) . J Biol Chem, 283(42), 28741-28746. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers J (2008) . Biochemist, 30(2), 8-12. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S, Phillips JS, Sayers J & Croucher PI (2007) . J Biol Chem, 282(43), 31601-31609. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson IR, Ferrandis E, Artymiuk PJ, Teillot M, Soulard C, Touvay C, Pradhananga SL, Justice S, Wu Z, Leung KC , Strasburger CJ et al (2007) . Nat Med, 13(9), 1108-1113. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Williams R, Sengerová B, Osborne S, Syson K, Ault S, Kilgour A, Chapados BR, Tainer JA, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (2007) . J Mol Biol, 371(1), 34-48. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S & Sayers JR (2007) . Infect Immun, 75(6), 2875-2885. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hodskinson MRG, Allen LM, Thomson DP & Sayers JR (2007) . Nucleic Acids Res, 35(12), 4094-4102. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith P, Fallon RE, Mangan NE, Walsh CM, Saraiva M, Sayers JR, McKenzie ANJ, Alcami A & Fallon PG (2005) Schistosoma mansoni secretes a chemokine binding protein with antiinflammatory activity. J EXP MED, 202(10), 1319-1325. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Parsons HK, Vitovski S & Sayers JR (2004) . Biochem Soc Trans, 32(Pt 6), 1130-1132. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith P, Walsh CM, Mangan NE, Fallon RE, Sayers JR, McKenzie ANJ & Fallon PG (2004) Schistosoma mansoni worms induce anergy of T cells via selective up-regulation of programmed death ligand 1 on macrophages. J IMMUNOL, 173(2), 1240-1248. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Feng M, Patel D, Dervan JJ, Ceska T, Suck D, Haq I & Sayers JR (2004) . Nat Struct Mol Biol, 11(5), 450-456. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tock MR, Frary E, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (2003) . EMBO J, 22(5), 995-1004. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Patel D, Tock MR, Frary E, Feng M, Pickering TJ, Grasby JA & Sayers JR (2002) . J Mol Biol, 320(5), 1025-1035. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dervan JJ, Feng M, Patel D, Grasby JA, Artymiuk PJ, Ceska TA & Sayers JR (2002) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 99(13), 8542-8547. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S, Dunkin KT, Howard AJ & Sayers JR (2002) . JAMA, 287(13), 1699-1705. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR (2001) . Trends Biotechnol, 19(11), 429-430. RIS download Bibtex download
  • PATEL D, VITOVSKI S, SENIOR HJ, EDGE MD, HOCKNEY RC, DEMPSEY MJ & SAYERS JR (2001) . Biochemical Journal, 357(3), 779-785. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Patel D, Vitovski S, Senior HJ, Edge MD, Hockney RC, Dempsey MJ & Sayers JR (2001) . Biochem J, 357(Pt 3), 779-785. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Garforth SJ, Patel D, Feng M & Sayers JR (2001) . Nucleic Acids Res, 29(13), 2772-2779. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Patel D (2001) . Trends Biochem Sci, 26(3), 149-150. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Feng M, Hag I, Dervan J, Patel D, Allen L & Sayers J (2001) . Biochemical Society Transactions, 29(1), A30-A30. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Patel D, Garforth SJ, Pickering TJ, Grasby JA & Sayers JR (2001) . Biochemical Society Transactions, 29(1), A30-A30. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dervan JJ, Allen LM & Sayers JR (2001) . Biochemical Society Transactions, 29(1), A30-A30. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kiss-Toth E, Dower SK & Sayers JR (2001) . Anal Biochem, 288(2), 230-232. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pickering TJ, Garforth S, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (1999) . J Biol Chem, 274(25), 17711-17717. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dervan JJ & Sayers JR (1999) . Biochemical Society Transactions, 27(3), A127-A127. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pickering TJ, Garforth SJ, Thorpe SJ, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (1999) . Nucleic Acids Res, 27(3), 730-735. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vitovski S, Read RC & Sayers JR (1999) . FASEB J, 13(2), 331-337. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Garforth SJ, Ceska TA, Suck D & Sayers JR (1999) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96(1), 38-43. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ceska TA & Sayers JR (1998) Structure-specific DNA cleavage by 5 ' nucleases. TRENDS BIOCHEM SCI, 23(9), 331-336. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Artymiuk PJ (1998) . Nat Struct Biol, 5(8), 668-670. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith MCM, Burns N, Sayers JR, Sorrell JA, Casjens SR, Hendrix RW & Engel J (1998) Bacteriophage collagen [5] (multiple letters). Science, 279(5358), 1834. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smith MCM, Burns N, Sayers JR, Sorrell JA, Casjens SR & Hendrix RW (1998) Bacteriophage collagen. SCIENCE, 279(5358), 1834-1834. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Artymiuk PJ, Ceska TA, Suck D & Sayers JR (1997) . Nucleic Acids Res, 25(21), 4224-4229. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Garforth SJ & Sayers JR (1997) . Nucleic Acids Res, 25(19), 3801-3807. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Darani HY, Curtis RH, McNeice C, Price HP, Sayers JR & Doenhoff MJ (1997) . Parasitology, 115 ( Pt 3), 237-247. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Price HP, Doenhoff MJ & Sayers JR (1997) Cloning, heterologous expression and antigenicity of a schistosome cercarial protease. PARASITOLOGY, 114, 447-453. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Evans D & Thomson JB (1996) . Anal Biochem, 241(2), 186-189. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ceska TA, Sayers JR, Stier G & Suck D (1996) A helical arch allowing single-stranded DNA to thread through T5 5'-exonuclease. NATURE, 382(6586), 90-93. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Price HP, Fallon PG & Doenhoff MJ (1996) . PARASITOLOGY TODAY, 12(3), 124-125. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR (1996) . Methods Enzymol, 275, 227-238. RIS download Bibtex download
  • SAYERS JR, PRICE HP, FALLON PG & DOENHOFF MJ (1995) AGA/AGG CODON USAGE IN PARASITES - IMPLICATIONS FOR GENE-EXPRESSION IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI. PARASITOL TODAY, 11(9), 345-346. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Williams PA & Sayers JR (1994) . Biodegradation, 5(3-4), 195-217. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR (1994) . J Theor Biol, 170(4), 415-421. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Reddy BR, Shaw LE, Sayers JR & Williams PA (1994) . Microbiology, 140 ( Pt 9), 2305-2307. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ceska TA, Sayers JR, Eckstein F & Suck D (1993) . J Mol Biol, 233(1), 179-182. RIS download Bibtex download
  • OLSEN DB, SAYERS JR & ECKSTEIN F (1993) SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS OF SINGLE-STRANDED AND DOUBLE-STRANDED DNA BY PHOSPHOROTHIOATE APPROACH. METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY, 217, 189-217. RIS download Bibtex download
  • ASSINDER SJ, DEMARCO P, SAYERS JR, SHAW LE, WINSON MK & WILLIAMS PA (1992) . NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH, 20(20), 5476-5476. RIS download Bibtex download
  • SAYERS JR, KREKEL C & ECKSTEIN F (1992) RAPID HIGH-EFFICIENCY SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS BY THE PHOSPHOROTHIOATE APPROACH. BIOTECHNIQUES, 13(4), 592-596. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Olsen DB (1992) . Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 2(7), 1023-1029. RIS download Bibtex download
  • SAYERS JR & ECKSTEIN F (1991) . NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH, 19(15), 4127-4132. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Eckstein F (1990) Properties of overexpressed phage T5 D15 exonuclease. Similarities with Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I 5'-3' exonuclease.. J Biol Chem, 265(30), 18311-18317. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Olsen DB, Kotzorek G, Sayers JR & Eckstein F (1990) Inhibition of the restriction endonuclease BanII using modified DNA substrates. Determination of phosphate residues critical for the formation of an active enzyme-DNA complex.. J Biol Chem, 265(24), 14389-14394. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Olsen DB & Eckstein F (1989) . Nucleic Acids Res, 17(22), 9495. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Schmidt W & Eckstein F (1988) . Nucleosides and Nucleotides, 7(5-6), 625-628. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Schmidt W & Eckstein F (1988) . Nucleic Acids Res, 16(3), 791-802. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Schmidt W, Wendler A & Eckstein F (1988) . Nucleic Acids Res, 16(3), 803-814. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jones AS, Sayers JR, Walker RT & De Clercq E (1988) . J Med Chem, 31(1), 268-271. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ashwell M, Jones AS, Kumar A, Sayers JR, Walker RT, Sakuma T & De Clercq E (1987) . Tetrahedron, 43(20), 4601-4608. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jarju S, Wenlock RD, Danso M, Jobe D, Jagne YJ, Darboe A, Kumado M, Jallow Y, Touray M, Ceesay EA , Gaye H et al () . Nature Communications, 15(1). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hull RC, Wright RCT, Sayers JR, Sutton JAF, Rzaska J, Foster SJ, Brockhurst MA & Condliffe AM () . Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Colton H, Hodgson D, Hornsby H, Brown R, Mckenzie J, Bradley KL, James C, Lindsey BB, Birch S, Marsh L , Wood S et al () . Wellcome Open Research, 6, 220-220. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Colton H, Hodgson D, Hornsby H, Brown R, Mckenzie J, Bradley KL, James C, Lindsey BB, Birch S, Marsh L , Wood S et al () . Wellcome Open Research, 6, 220-220. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson I, Phipps M, Sayers J, Artymiuk P & Ross R () . Endocrine Abstracts. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson I, Cawley P, Bielohuby M, Sayers J, Artymiuk P, Bidlingmaier M & Ross R () . Endocrine Abstracts, 1-1. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR () . Biochemical Journal, c1-c1. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • Sayers JR (2006) Bacteriophage T5 In Calendar R (Ed.), The Bacteriophages (pp. 268-276). Oxford University Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Eckstein F (1997) Phosphorothioate-based site-directed mutageneis In Creighton TE (Ed.), Protein function (pp. 279-295). Oxford University Press, USA RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Eckstein F (1991) Phosphorothioate-based site directed mutagenesis In McPherson MJ (Ed.), Directed mutagenesis (pp. 49-59). Oxford University Press, USA RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Eckstein F (1988) Phosphorothioate-based oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis In Setlow JK (Ed.), Genetic Engineering (pp. 109-122). Plenum Pub Corp RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Ferrandis E, Pradhananga SL, Touvay C, Kinoshita C, Wilkinson IR, Stafford K, Wu Z, Strasburger CJ, Sayers JR, Artymiuk PJ & Ross RJ (2010) Immunogenicity, Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Growth Hormone Ligand-Receptor Fusions.. ENDOCRINE REVIEWS, Vol. 31(3) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kostidis K, Bardhan KD, Potter CW & Sayers JR (2007) Comh: Isolation, purification and characterisation of a unique H-pylori protein. GASTROENTEROLOGY, Vol. 132(4) (pp A212-A213) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kostidis K, Thackray P, Bardhan KD, Potter CW & Sayers JR (2007) ComH: Isolation, purification and characterisation of a unique H pylori protein. GUT, Vol. 56 (pp A55-A55) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kostidis K, Thackray P, Bardhan KD, Potter CW & Sayers JR (2005) ComH: Purification of a unique H pylori protein. GUT, Vol. 54 (pp A86-A86) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ AGW & Yorks S (1999) Isolation of a novel TNF regulating protein.. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM, Vol. 42(9) (pp S201-S201) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Pickering TJ, Garforth SJ, Sayers JR & Grasby JA (1999) Mechanistic studies of a 5 ' nuclease from T5 bacteriophage. CHEMISTRY OF NUCLEIC ACID COMPONENTS, Vol. 2 (pp 161-167) RIS download Bibtex download
  • OLSEN DB & SAYERS JR (1991) PHOSPHOROTHIOATE BASED MUTAGENESIS OF SINGLE AND DOUBLE-STRANDED DNA VECTORS. SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS AND PROTEIN ENGINEERING (pp 171-179) RIS download Bibtex download
  • OLSEN DB, SAYERS JR, KOTZOREK G & ECKSTEIN F (1991) . NUCLEOSIDES & NUCLEOTIDES, Vol. 10(1-3) (pp 665-667) RIS download Bibtex download
  • ECKSTEIN F, NAKAMAYE K & SAYERS J (1987) PHOSPHOROTHIOATE-DNA FOR OLIGONUCLEOTIDE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS. BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY HOPPE-SEYLER, Vol. 368(9) (pp 1036-1036) RIS download Bibtex download

Patents

  • Sayers JR & Ross R (2009) Modified growth hormone fusion polypeptides. US7524649 B2 (USA). Appl. 28 Apr 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ross RJ, Sayers J & Artymiuk P (2009) MODIFIED GROWTH HORMONE POLYPEPTIDES. WO/2009/047474 Appl. 16 Apr 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ross RJ, Sayers J & Artymiuk P (2009) GROWTH HORMONE FUSION PROTEINS. WO/2009/013461 Appl. 29 Jan 2009. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hulley P, Russell G & Croucher P (2006) . Appl. 01 Dec 2006. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR & Duff GW () Designer proteases. US6,383,775 (USA). Appl. 01 Jan 1970. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ross R, Artymiuk P & Sayers J () Growth hormone fusion proteins. 8,470,559 (USA). Appl. 01 Jan 1970. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Ross R & Artymiuk P () Fusion protein comprising growth hormone and growth hormone receptor. 7,446,183 Appl. 01 Jan 1970. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sayers JR, Ross R & Artymiuk P () Cytokine polypeptides and antibodies containing a signal sequence for the attachment of glycosylphosphatidylinositol. US 7,625,998 (USA). Appl. 01 Jan 1970. RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

  • Verma V, Brudenell EL, Cussons S, Phipps J, Kong SC, Sayers JR & Hobbs JK (2024) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Brudenell EL, Pohare MB, Zafred D, Phipps J, Hornsby HR, Darby J, Dai J, Liggett E, Cain K, Barran PE , de Silva TI et al (2024) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Williams DM, Hornsby H, Shehata OM, Brown R, Zafred D, Shun-Shion ASM, Hodder AJ, Bliss D, Metcalfe A, Edgar JR , Gordon DE et al () , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hodgson D, Colton H, Hornsby H, Brown R, Mckenzie J, Bradley KL, James C, Lindsey BB, Birch S, Marsh L , Wood S et al () . RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching interests

I teach graduate-level biochemistry, molecular & structural biology, bioinformatics and biotechnology in relation to biomedical research and drug discovery.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Director, , 2001 - 2009.
  • Trustee, Biochemical Society Pension Scheme, 2008 - 2017
  • Honorary Treasurer and Trustee of the , 2008-2012.
  • Director of Portland Press, 2008-2012.
  • Editorial board member of , 2007 - 2015.
  • Founding Director, DeFENition Ltd.

Granted patents:

  • Ross R, Artymiuk P, Sayers J. Growth hormone fusion proteins. 2013, Granted US Patent No. 8,470,559.
    (PLEASE NOTE although this has the same title and author as patent no. 8,293,709 which was already included, it is a separate patent granted in 2013).
  • Ross R, Artymiuk P, Sayers J.  Growth hormone fusion proteins. 2012, Granted US Patent No. 8,293,709.
  • Artymiuk, P, Ross R, Sayers J. Modified growth hormone polypeptides 2012, Granted US Patent No. 8,273,552.
  • Ross R, Artymiuk P, Sayers J. Fusion protein comprising growth hormone and growth hormone receptor. 2012 Granted US Patent No. 8,173,782.
  • Ross R, Sayers J, Artymiuk P.  Modified growth hormone fusion polypeptides, 2009, Granted US Patent No. 7524649.
  • Ross R, Sayers J, Artymiuk P.  Cytokine polypeptides and antibodies containing a signal sequence for the attachment of glycosylphosphatidylinositol, 2009, Granted US Patent No. 7625998.
  • Ross R, Artymiuk P, Sayers J. Fusion protein comprising growth hormone and growth hormone receptor. 2008 Granted US Patent No. 7,446,183.
  • Duff, G.W., Sayers, J.R., Vitovski, S. Designer proteases. 2002 Granted US Patent No.6,383,775.