How cells keep their DNA stable to stay healthy
Understanding the mechanistic role of genome stability pathways in regulating cell homeostasis
This project looks at how cells protect and repair their DNA to help people with cancers and other diseases linked to DNA damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260334 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at NYU are studying the machinery that copies and repairs DNA to understand what goes wrong when cells experience 'replication stress.' They use laboratory models, molecular biology, and cell-based experiments (including human-derived cells) to map the pathways that maintain genome integrity. The team will test how disruptions in these pathways affect cell growth, protein production, and survival. The goal is to reveal targets that could make cancer treatments that damage DNA work better or be more selective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Findings would be most relevant to people with cancers linked to DNA-repair or replication defects, such as BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to DNA-repair or replication stress may not see direct benefit from this basic science work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost the effectiveness of cancer therapies that rely on creating DNA damage or to protect healthy cells from that damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown that targeting DNA repair and replication-stress pathways can sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors, but many core mechanisms remain unresolved.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Tony Tung — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Huang, Tony Tung
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.