How cells handle broken chromosomes during division
Broken chromosome segregation during mitosis: a Drosophila model
['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11169744
Researchers are using fruit flies to learn how cells sort broken chromosome pieces during division to better understand causes of genome damage that can lead to cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11169744 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses a special fruit fly tissue that naturally tolerates broken chromosomes to watch, manipulate, and biochemically study how those fragments are moved during cell division. The team combines genetic screens, live imaging of dividing cells, and lab-based biochemistry to find the proteins and pathways that keep broken pieces from forming harmful micronuclei. They focus on molecules conserved in humans, including DNA Polymerase Theta, FancD2 modification, and the CRL4CDT2 ubiquitin ligase. Findings could reveal fundamental cell responses to double-strand breaks that persist into mitosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers or cancer risk driven by chromosome fragmentation or genome instability would be the most relevant human group for future translation of these findings.
Not a fit: People with non-cancer conditions or tumors unrelated to chromosome breakage are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic fly-model research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent genome instability that contributes to tumor formation and identify molecular targets for future cancer therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Model-organism and cell-based studies have previously identified conserved DNA repair pathways, but using Drosophila papillar cells to study acentric chromosome segregation is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FOX, DONALD T. — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: FOX, DONALD T.
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.
Conditions: Cancers