Investigating the role of a key enzyme in DNA repair for cancer treatment
Cellular requirements for Pol theta function
This study is looking at a special enzyme called Pol θ that helps fix broken DNA in cancer cells, and it aims to find out how we can use this information to create better and safer treatments for cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10868620 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the function of DNA polymerase θ (Pol θ), an enzyme crucial for repairing DNA double-strand breaks in cancer cells. By using specialized cellular assays and genetic interaction platforms, the project aims to identify the specific requirements for Pol θ's function and how it can be targeted for cancer therapy. The research will explore how the loss of Pol θ affects cancer cells differently than normal cells, potentially leading to new treatment strategies. The findings could help develop safer and more effective cancer therapies by targeting the unique vulnerabilities of cancer cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit vulnerabilities related to DNA repair mechanisms, particularly those with mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not rely on Pol θ for DNA repair or those with non-cancerous conditions are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new cancer treatments that specifically target the vulnerabilities of cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting DNA repair mechanisms in cancer, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramsden, Dale a — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Ramsden, Dale a
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.