Controlling how PARP‑1 sticks to broken DNA
Tuning PARP-1 retention and release on DNA breaks
This research tries to change how PARP‑1 holds onto DNA breaks to help people with cancers and inflammatory conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289373 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn that PARP‑1 is a protein that senses and responds to breaks in DNA and that its behavior affects whether cells repair or die. The team uses biochemical experiments, structural biology, and cell-based assays to see what makes PARP‑1 stay attached to or leave damaged DNA. They aim to map the molecular switches that control PARP‑1 activity and its release after repair. Results could explain why some cancers respond to PARP inhibitor drugs and point to ways to make those therapies work better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers driven by DNA repair defects (for example BRCA‑mutated breast, ovarian, or prostate cancers) are the kinds of patients most likely to benefit from future therapies informed by this research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to DNA damage or DNA repair pathways are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better or safer PARP‑targeting treatments for cancers and inflammatory diseases linked to DNA repair problems.
How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors are already effective for some DNA‑repair deficient cancers, but experiments that specifically tune PARP‑1 retention and release on DNA are a newer, more experimental direction.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Black, Ben E. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Black, Ben E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.