How cells fix DNA damage during gene copying and how that affects cancer mutations
Mechanism of Transcription-coupled DNA Repair and its Impact on Cancer Mutations
This project looks at how cells remove DNA damage that stalls gene copying to help explain why mutations form in cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11040995 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced DNA sequencing methods that read damage across the genome down to single bases to see where two types of lesions occur and are repaired. They compare how the human CSB protein and its yeast counterpart help clear a blocked gene-copying machine (RNA polymerase II) and remove or expose damage for repair. The team studies both bulky UV-type lesions and more common non-bulky base damage to learn whether the same repair pathway handles both. Findings come from lab experiments using human cells and yeast models and could guide future patient-focused work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer or those interested in contributing tumor or blood samples for DNA-repair research would be the most relevant participants for related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or whose conditions do not involve DNA-damage or mutation processes are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how certain mutations arise in cancer and point to new ways to prevent or target mutation-driven tumors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have established key repair proteins like CSB and Rad26, but applying genome-wide single-nucleotide mapping to common non-bulky base damage is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mao, Peng — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Mao, Peng
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.