How cells find and fix DNA damage that can cause cancer
Structural Investigations Critical to Understanding DNA Damage Recognition and Repair in Cancer
This project learns how enzymes fix or bypass damaged DNA that can lead to cancers such as breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11224482 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are using laboratory techniques to watch how key DNA-repair enzymes recognize and handle damaged DNA. They focus on DNA polymerase β and variants found in people that can reduce replication accuracy. The team applies biochemical and biophysical tests plus high-resolution structural methods to visualize enzyme actions at the molecular level. Results aim to explain how some DNA lesions lead to cancer or treatment resistance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer or those with inherited or suspected DNA repair gene variants would be most relevant to the findings.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate treatment decisions or whose cancers are driven by unrelated mechanisms are unlikely to see direct benefit from this laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict which genetic variants raise cancer risk and point to better treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior structural studies of DNA repair proteins have clarified mechanisms and aided drug development, but applying high-resolution structural methods to specific human polymerase β variants is a relatively new focus.
Where this research is happening
Burlington, United States
- University of Vermont & St Agric College — Burlington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eckenroth, Brian E. — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Eckenroth, Brian E.
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.