How cells repair dangerous DNA breaks using homologous recombination
Molecular mechanisms of DNA double strand break repair by homologous recombination
This project aims to understand how cells fix severe DNA breaks using a precise repair process, with the goal of helping people whose cancers are linked to DNA-repair problems such as some breast and ovarian cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262319 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will be hearing about work that breaks down, step by step, how cells mend the most dangerous kind of DNA damage, double-strand breaks, using the homologous recombination pathway. The team will study how broken DNA ends are processed into single-stranded tails, how the RAD51 protein finds matching DNA and forms invasion structures (D-loops), and how new DNA is copied and rejoined. Researchers will use purified proteins and laboratory reconstitutions that recreate these molecular events so they can watch and measure each step. The goal is to reveal detailed mechanisms that could point to new therapeutic targets for cancers caused by defective DNA repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast or ovarian cancers linked to inherited or acquired defects in homologous recombination (for example BRCA1/2-related tumors) would be most relevant to the findings of this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are unrelated to DNA repair defects or people with non-cancer conditions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or strategies that improve treatments for cancers driven by defective DNA repair, such as some breast and ovarian cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic and biochemical studies of homologous recombination have clarified key steps and helped lead to therapies like PARP inhibitors, but detailed reconstitutions of the entire mechanism remain an active and advancing area of research.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stinson, Benjamin M — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Stinson, Benjamin M
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.