My research group focuses upon DNA replication, replication stress and replication-associated DNA damage and repair in ageing-related disease such as muscular dystrophy, cancer and progeroid syndromes.

The aim of our work is to understand how these processes take place within the context of the nucleus.

With funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK, we are exploring DNA replication dynamics, nuclear membrane composition and nuclei migration in the context of the rare disease VCP-MSP.

For this, we are optimising methods to directly extract and analyse components of the nuclear membrane through nuclei isolation and extraction with co-polymers.

With funding from the Royal Society, we are developing a method to detect the anti-cancer drug gemcitabine (a potent DNA replication inhibitor) within genomic DNA using nanopore DNA sequencing.

I have experience of working with a wide range of techniques for studying the dynamics of DNA replication (immunofluorescence microscopy, chromatin isolation, DNA fibres, replication foci formation, alkaline gel electrophoresis, affinity chromatography and cell viability assays), cell cycle, cell death, molecular biology and currently developing expertise in nanopore DNA sequencing.

For an overview of my publications, please visit: ‪Rebecca M Jones‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬

I am keen to collaborate, so please get in touch if you are interested ([email protected]).

Current lab members

Antonio Borriello - PhD student - funded by Muscular Dystrophy UK

Past lab members

Dr Olivia Hawkins - Post-doctoral researcher - funded by the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) (2024-2025).

Anika Khan - Summer studentship - funded by the Royal Society (2025).

Noora Khan - Work experience student (June 2025)

Jordyn Adams - Work experience student (April 2026)

Nimra Nazir - Work experience student (April 2026)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, University of Birmingham, 2023.

Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, University of Birmingham, 2018.

PhD Biochemistry, University of Sheffield, 2010.

BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, Lancaster University, 2006.

2024 – date: Lecturer in School of Biosciences, Aston University.

2016 – 2024: Senior post doctoral researcher, University of Birmingham with Prof Aga Gambus.

2010 – 2016: Post doctoral researcher, University of Birmingham with Prof Eva Petermann.

Dr Jones's research focuses on nanopore DNA sequencing.