“Understanding the Action of Drugs Targeting TOP2: Yeast Based Systems for Unraveling Drug Mechanisms”

Mona Malik, Ph.D., B.Sc.

Mona Malik, Ph.D. is co-author of this chapter in “DNA Topoisomerases in Cancer Therapy: Present and Future”. In the chapter, Ms. Malik discusses how Type 1/topoisomerases play key roles in DNA metabolism, including DNA replication, transcription, and chromosome segregation (reviewed in Nitiss 1998). The enzyme has been termed a simple molecular machine that orchestrates DNA topology by its ability to pass a double stranded DNA through a transient DNA double strand break (Wang 1998). The complexity of the reactions carried out by topoisomerase II, along with its importance in DNA metabolism has led to a wide range of biochemical and biological approaches to the study of this enzyme. In addition to its rich biology and biochemistry, topoisomerase II is a well-established target of anti-cancer agents such as etoposide and doxorubicin.

Mona Malik, Ph.D., supports patent prosecution and litigation and provides technical and scientific guidance in various fields of life sciences, including cell biology, immunology/immunotherapy, genetics, biochemistry, pharmacology, virology, oncology, plant sciences and agriculture. With an advance degree and more than a dozen years of research experience, Mona brings noteworthy credentials to the patent issues of intellectual property. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge after investigating complex mechanisms of chromosomal gene recombination and gene replacement.