Phoebe A. Rice, PhD

How do mobile genetic elements jump? We use biochemistry, structural biology, and microbiology to get mechanistic answers. Projects include the SCCmec element of MRSA and the paradigmatic Mu transposase.

NIH / NIDDK
Bethesda, MD
post-doctoral - Transposition Biochemistry
1997

Yale University
New Haven, CT
PhD - Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry
1992

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA
BA - Biochemistry
1986

Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors.
Large serine integrases utilise scavenged phage proteins as directionality cofactors. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025 Jan 24; 53(3).
PMID: 39907112

Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases.
Structural basis of directionality control in large serine integrases. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 13.
PMID: 39803483

Variable orthogonality of serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family.
Variable orthogonality of serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family. Sci Rep. 2024 11 01; 14(1):26280.
PMID: 39487291

Structure of TnsABCD transpososome reveals mechanisms of targeted DNA transposition.
Structure of TnsABCD transpososome reveals mechanisms of targeted DNA transposition. Cell. 2024 Nov 27; 187(24):6865-6881.e16.
PMID: 39383864

Flagellar switch inverted repeat impacts flagellar invertibility and varies Clostridioides difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence.
Flagellar switch inverted repeat impacts flagellar invertibility and varies Clostridioides difficile RT027/MLST1 virulence. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 24.
PMID: 39386689

DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes.
DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes. Nature. 2024 May; 629(8011):410-416.
PMID: 38632404

Variable orthogonality of RDF - large serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family.
Variable orthogonality of RDF - large serine integrase interactions within the ?C31 family. bioRxiv. 2024 Apr 03.
PMID: 38617232

A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut.
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. 2024 Feb 29; 187(5):1206-1222.e16.
PMID: 38428395

Crystal structure of a cap-independent translation enhancer RNA.
Crystal structure of a cap-independent translation enhancer RNA. Nucleic Acids Res. 2023 09 08; 51(16):8891-8907.
PMID: 37548413

Dynamic genetic adaptation of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron during murine gut colonization.
Dynamic genetic adaptation of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron during murine gut colonization. Cell Rep. 2023 08 29; 42(8):113009.
PMID: 37598339

View All Publications

Distinguished Educator in the Basic Sciences
University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division
2015

NSF fellowship
1987

Gannett Newspaper Carrier Scholarship
1982 - 1986