Fixing stalled DNA copying to address BRCA-related cancer risk
Stalled replication fork repair in cancer predisposition and cancertherapy
This project looks at how cells fix DNA when copying stalls, especially in people with BRCA1 or BRCA2 changes, to help prevent hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124227 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use new laboratory reporter tools that can tell when a stalled DNA copy job is fixed correctly versus by error-prone shortcuts. They study cells with BRCA1 or BRCA2 defects and other models linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to see which repair paths cause harmful DNA changes. The team examines unusual outcomes seen in BRCA1-mutant cells, such as small non-homologous duplications, and traces how those events arise. The goal is to map the specific repair steps that lead to genomic instability and cancer predisposition so future tests or therapies can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations or a strong family history of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer would be most directly connected to the goals of this research.
Not a fit: Patients without BRCA-related risk or with unrelated health conditions are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this basic lab-focused research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal repair steps that drive BRCA-related cancer risk and point to new ways to prevent, detect, or treat hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has established BRCA1/BRCA2 roles in DNA repair, but this project uses novel reporters and approaches to study specific error-free versus error-prone repair paths, combining established findings with new methods.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scully, Ralph — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Scully, Ralph
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.