How the 3D arrangement of DNA helps keep cells' genomes stable
Maintenance of genome stability in 3D
This work looks at how the way DNA is packed in three dimensions affects repair in cancer cells to find weaknesses that could improve treatments like chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11337215 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how DNA is arranged inside the cell nucleus and how that 3D layout changes after damage from treatments. Researchers will use cancer cell models, high-resolution imaging, and experiments that alter cellular mechanics to see how DNA repair sites form and move. They will expose cells to common DNA-damaging chemotherapy drugs and study how repair and DNA replication interact in three dimensions. The goal is to find common rules of 3D DNA organization that might reveal new targets to make therapies more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers treated by DNA-damaging chemotherapy or those with known DNA repair disorders could be relevant for sample donation or future clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: People without cancer or whose tumors do not rely on DNA repair pathways are unlikely to see direct benefits from this research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new vulnerabilities in cancer cells that make DNA-damaging treatments more effective or selective.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown 3D genome organization can influence DNA repair, but applying those findings to improve therapies is still early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gautier, Jean — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gautier, Jean
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.