How PARP enzymes and PAR 'condensates' help cells repair damaged DNA
Project 3: PARP: PAR-dependent, phase-transitioned protein assemblies and DNA repair
This research looks at how PARP enzymes make sugar-like PAR chains that create repair hubs to help fix damaged DNA in cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178315 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, scientists at UC Berkeley are studying proteins called PARP1 and PARP2 that add chains of ADP-ribose (PAR) to other proteins after DNA damage. They will use purified proteins, cell models, and structural and biochemical techniques to see how PAR length and shape seed phase-separated compartments that gather DNA-repair machines. The team will test how the cofactor HPF1 and PAR structure change repair outcomes at different kinds of DNA lesions. Results aim to explain how PAR-driven condensates influence repair and why PARP-targeting drugs work or fail.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Findings are most relevant to people with cancers linked to DNA-repair defects—such as BRCA-associated breast or ovarian cancers—where PARP-targeted treatments are used.
Not a fit: People without DNA-repair–related cancers or those looking for an immediate new treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic laboratory project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide better use of PARP inhibitors and suggest new ways to target DNA-repair processes in cancer.
How similar studies have performed: PARP inhibitors are already effective in some DNA-repair–deficient cancers, but studying PAR-driven phase separation as a mechanism is a newer approach with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paull, Tanya T — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Paull, Tanya 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.