Michael Hawgood

About me

Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD Medical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet
MSc Human Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
BSc Genetics (Industrial), University of Leeds, UK

Genetics | Molecular Biology | Cell Biology | Cell Division | DNA
Replication | Cancer

I aim to advance biomedical research and technology with the purpose of improving patient care and health.

Currently investigating how DNA replication is initiated in human cells. My work focuses on understanding replication kinetics using advanced super-resolution microscopy techniques combined with quantitative high-throughput analysis. Defining a frame-work of DNA replication initiation factors will help to identify novel cancer drug targets.

Interested in all life science research, with a strong focus on communicating complex science in clear, visual, and engaging ways that inspire understanding and impact.

Journal article: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS. 2025;16(1)
Temporal control of human DNA replication licensing by CDK4/6-RB signalling and chemical genetics
Sosenko Piscitello A; Nilsson A-S; Hawgood M; Sayyid AH; Dionellis VS; Giglio G; Urién B; Bajgain P; Ntallis SG; Bartek J; Halazonetis TD; Lemmens B
Article: JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY. 2024;67(11):8609-8629
Novel Dihydropteridinone Derivatives As Potent Inhibitors of the Understudied Human Kinases Vaccinia-Related Kinase 1 and Casein Kinase 1δ/ε
Gama FHDS; Dutra LA; Hawgood M; dos Reis CV; Serafim RAM; Ferreira Jr MA; Teodoro BVM; Takarada J; Santiago AS; Balourdas D-I; Nilsson A-S; Urien B; Almeida VM; Gileadi C; Ramos PZ; Salmazo A; Vasconcelos SNS; Cunha MR; Mueller S; Knapp S; Massirer KB; Elkins JM; Gileadi O; Mascarello A; Lemmens BBLG; Guimaraes CRW; Azevedo H; Counago RM

Doctoral thesis: 2025
DNA replication initiation and fidelity: a nanoscale view of the code of life
Hawgood M
Preprint: BIORXIV. 2025
Spatial mapping of DNA synthesis reveals dynamics and geometry of human replication nanostructures
Hawgood M; Urién González B; Agostinho A; Thiagarajan P; Yang Y; Zhang X; Giglio G; Quijada G; Fonseca M; Bartek J; Blom H; Lemmens B
Preprint: CHEMRXIV. 2023
Novel dihydropteridinone derivatives as potent and selective inhibitors of the understudied human vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1)
H. de Souza Gama F; Dutra L; Hawgood M; Vinícius dos Reis C; Serafim R; Ferreira Jr. M; V. M. Teodoro B; Takarada J; Santiago A; M. Almeida V; Gileadi C; Zonzini Ramos P; Salmazo A; Vasconcelos S; Cunha M; Ballourdas D-I; Mueller S; Knapp S; Massirer K; Elkins J; Gileadi O; Macarello A; Lemmens B; R. W. Guimarães C; Azevedo H; Couñago R