Genome Maintenance: DNA Repair, Mutagenesis and Cancer

Genomic DNA is constantly damaged by external agents such as sunlight and tobacco smoke, and by intracellular agents, such as reactive oxygen species. It was estimated that the DNA in each cell of our body is being damaged at least 50,000 times every day.

Proper function of DNA replication and gene expression in all organisms, rely on DNA repair mechanisms. Failure to repair DNA, or its error-prone repair, can cause severe biological consequences, including cancer, immunodeficiency, premature aging, and neurodegeneration.

Our laboratory is investigating molecular mechanisms of DNA repair and mutagenesis and their biological role under normal and pathological conditions, primarily cancer.