How cell proteins find and fix DNA damage that can lead to cancer
Watching cooperative interactions between base and nucleotide excision repair proteins
This work looks at how proteins in our cells locate and repair damaged DNA that can cause cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300170 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, this project studies the molecular helpers inside cells that spot and fix damaged DNA. The team uses purified proteins, high-resolution single-molecule imaging, and new light-controlled (chemoptogenetic) tools in lab-grown cells to watch repair events in real time. They also place specific DNA lesions at defined spots in the genome to see how repair proteins act on chromatin. The goal is to see how two repair systems cooperate to handle oxidative DNA damage linked to cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This is laboratory research with no current patient enrollment, but results would be most relevant to people with cancers tied to DNA repair defects or those at high risk from environmental DNA-damaging exposures.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate treatment options should not expect direct benefits because this work is basic lab research rather than a clinical trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to prevent or treat cancers that arise from DNA damage by revealing targets to boost or mimic natural repair processes.
How similar studies have performed: Researchers have previously characterized many DNA repair proteins, but combining single-molecule imaging with chemoptogenetic genome targeting is a novel and relatively untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Houten, Bennett — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Van Houten, Bennett
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.