How cells fix DNA damage from alkylating chemicals
Replication fork dynamics and repair by Rad51 paralogs after DNA alkylation
This project looks at how helper proteins repair DNA damage from alkylating agents to better understand links to cancer and bone marrow failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307101 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are using a simple yeast model to learn how conserved proteins called Rad51 paralogs help protect and restart DNA replication when the DNA is damaged by alkylating chemicals. They observe how replication forks behave after alkylation and how the Shu complex and Rad51 helpers choose repair pathways. Because the same proteins exist in humans and misregulation is tied to breast/ovarian cancer and Fanconi anemia, the lab work aims to reveal mechanisms that could inform future tests or therapies. The experiments are basic-lab focused and will suggest molecular targets or biomarkers rather than immediate treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited risk for breast or ovarian cancer, or with Fanconi anemia or related bone marrow failure syndromes, may find this research directly relevant to future therapies or tests.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to DNA alkylation or Rad51-mediated repair are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new molecular targets or biomarkers to prevent or treat cancers and bone marrow failure linked to faulty DNA repair.
How similar studies have performed: Previous basic research has established Rad51 pathways as important and yeast models have been informative, but translating these findings into patient treatments is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Kara a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Kara a
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.