How BRCA1 and related RAD51 proteins protect DNA to lower cancer risk
Functions of BRCA1 and RAD51 Paralogs in Genome Stability and Tumor Suppression via Homologous Recombination
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · NIH-11285421
Researchers are figuring out how BRCA1 and similar proteins fix broken DNA, which could help people with inherited BRCA-related cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DAVIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11285421 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, scientists will study BRCA1 and the RAD51 family of proteins to see exactly how they repair damaged DNA. They will recreate the early steps of the DNA repair process in the lab using purified human proteins and biochemical experiments. The team will watch individual molecules act using single-molecule imaging to learn how these proteins work together during DNA resection and homologous recombination. Understanding these mechanisms could explain how mutations cause chromosome instability and increase cancer risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, a strong family history of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, or an interest in contributing to research on DNA repair would be most relevant to follow this work.
Not a fit: Patients looking for immediate new treatments or clinical interventions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of who is at higher genetic cancer risk and point to new ways to target DNA repair in therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Many prior studies have clarified roles for BRCA proteins and led to clinical advances like PARP inhibitors, but detailed single-molecule reconstitutions of the early human repair steps are relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
DAVIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS — DAVIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KOWALCZYKOWSKI, STEPHEN CHARLES — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- Study coordinator: KOWALCZYKOWSKI, STEPHEN CHARLES
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.
Conditions: Breast Cancer 1 Gene