Brent Thomson (PhD Student)

E-mail: b.thomsonDiversityArrays.com

I am currently a PhD student with the University of Sydney and Triticarte P/L working on applying DArT technology to Wheat. The project examines Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable Elements (MITEs) within the genome to identify possible wheat cultivar polymorphisms. Methylation patterns looking at cultivar and tissue specific polymorphisms are also being evaluated and added to existing molecular marker databases for use in wheat breeding programs.

Before commencing my PhD, I worked for three years as an applications specialist with GeneScan Australia P/L and GeneScan Europe AG. My role was to liaise with customers and provide software/hardware support and training. I also conducted sales within Australia and New Zealand, did trade show/conference demonstrations and provided maintenance support. The products included the MicroGrid Microarrayer, ArrayWoRx Microarray Scanner and GeneScan pre-printed custom microarrays.

Before employment with GeneScan, I completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Monash University in Melbourne, majoring in Genetics and Biochemistry. My honours project investigated the effects of trinucleotide repeats on aging cells. I harvested human and mouse embryonic fibroblasts and transfected them with a construct made using the human androgen receptor containing 20, 65 and 120 trinucleotide repeats. This construct was a model for Kennedy's Disease, a condition similar to Huntington's disease. During my undergraduate studies, I undertook a National Heart Foundation Scholarship to investigate mutations in the glucocorticoid receptor in vascular lesions at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne.

Away from work and study, I enjoy traveling, movies, shopping, socialising with friends, fine wine and dinning out. I was born in Melbourne so have a bias to say that it is my favorite city in Australia, and have enjoyed London, Tokyo, Paris, Seattle, Singapore and New York abroad.

Back to employees and students