How viruses hijack the cell's DNA copying and repair systems
Defining how cellular DNA replication and repair machinery are hijacked by viral pathogens
This project looks at how viruses take over the proteins that copy and fix DNA in human cells to better prevent virus-caused DNA damage and related disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers will use laboratory cell models and viral systems to watch how viruses interact with the proteins that copy and repair our DNA. They will build new molecular tools and imaging methods to mark DNA breaks, track where viruses attach to the genome, and see how repair proteins are redirected. The team will map the changes to replication and repair pathways that let viruses persist and cause damage. Results will aim to reveal targets that could be blocked to protect genome stability in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections linked to DNA damage or virus-associated cancers (for example, HPV-related cancers) would be most likely to benefit from follow-up therapies informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to viral-driven DNA damage or genome instability are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop viruses from causing DNA damage and potentially reduce virus-driven cancers or other long-term harms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies show viruses can disrupt DNA repair, but the specific tools and detailed mechanisms proposed here are novel and aim to provide deeper, previously unavailable insights.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majumder, Kinjal — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Majumder, Kinjal
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.