How human cells repair common DNA damage
Mechanisms of Base Excision DNA Repair
Researchers are learning how the enzymes in human cells fix the most common types of DNA damage to help guide better cancer treatments and understand age-related mutations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320885 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research looks at the molecular machines that spot and fix damaged DNA in human cells, focusing on the most frequent kinds of damage. The team uses structural, biophysical, and biochemical experiments to see how these enzymes work across different sizes and timescales. By studying human enzymes directly, they aim to link basic enzyme behavior to diseases like cancer and to responses to treatments that damage DNA. The work is done in university labs and builds on interdisciplinary methods to make findings more translatable to patients over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers related to DNA-repair problems or patients receiving treatments that cause DNA damage would be the most relevant to this research and any future trials it enables.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate new treatment are unlikely to benefit directly right now because this is foundational laboratory research rather than a clinical therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could inform safer, more effective cancer therapies and strategies to reduce harmful mutations that accumulate with age.
How similar studies have performed: Prior DNA-repair research has led to successful therapies such as PARP inhibitors, showing that fundamental studies in this area can translate into effective cancer treatments.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'brien, Patrick J — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: O'brien, Patrick J
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.