Fixing DNA gaps that form after DNA copies itself
Creation and Repair of Postreplicative DNA Gaps
This project looks at how cells and bacteria patch small gaps left behind during DNA copying to help reduce mutations that drive cancer and antibiotic resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers use bacterial models and molecular lab tools to find where post-replication DNA gaps form and which proteins fix them. They map gaps genome-wide, test how different repair pathways work, and use new methods developed in prior funding to watch gap creation and repair. Work in E. coli is compared to principles in eukaryotic cells to learn how the same processes can cause tumor evolution or promote antibiotic resistance. The team aims to reveal error-prone repair steps that could become targets for future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers linked to DNA repair defects or those affected by antibiotic-resistant infections may benefit from future therapies informed by this research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to DNA replication errors or bacterial resistance are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic-lab project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to limit harmful mutations in cancers and slow the development of antibiotic resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have previously shown that post-replication gaps exist and the team has developed new methods in earlier work, but translating these basic findings into clinical treatments remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Michael M. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Cox, Michael M.
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.