How cells choose and fix broken DNA ends
Official title: Mechanisms of DNA Double-strand Break End Resection and Repair Pathway Choice
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11472335 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cells repair dangerous double-strand DNA breaks to help improve treatment responses in people with BRCA-related cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 1995 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $51,484 |
| NIH project number | 3R01ES007061-32S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11472335 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with BRCA1/BRCA2-mutated cancers or those whose tumors have developed resistance to PARP inhibitors would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve DNA repair defects or whose treatment does not rely on PARP inhibitors may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
The team examines molecules like 53BP1, BRCA1-BARD1, EXO1, and the Shieldin complex that control whether a broken DNA end is accurately resected or quickly rejoined. They use molecular and cell-based experiments, including BRCA-deficient cell models and tumor-derived samples, to map how these proteins interact and change repair outcomes. The researchers model conditions that restore homology-directed repair to understand how some tumors become resistant to PARP inhibitor drugs. The work aims to identify molecular targets or biomarkers that could guide therapies or prevent resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict or overcome resistance to PARP inhibitors and make treatments for BRCA-related cancers more effective.
How similar studies have gone: PARP inhibitors are already effective in many BRCA-deficient cancers, but understanding and overcoming molecular causes of resistance is an active area of research that this project builds on.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sung, Patrick — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Sung, Patrick
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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.