Mechanisms of single-strand DNA break repair and how PAR chains regulate them
Official title: P3 - Mechanisms of single strand break repair and their regulation by poly(ADP-ribose)
Funded at University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab · NIH-11423280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, multi-institutional project is exploring how cells fix single-strand DNA breaks and how the PARP system influences this process, with implications for improving cancer treatments.
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 start | September 27, 2001 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $327,232 |
| NIH project number | 2P01CA092584-26 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers treated by DNA-damaging agents or PARP inhibitors, especially those with homologous recombination deficiencies, may benefit from advances informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not involved in cancer therapy or those unlikely to receive PARP-based strategies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This program focuses on how cells recognize and repair single-strand DNA breaks, which are common damage from cancer therapies. Researchers study the roles of PARP enzymes and PAR chains in signaling repair proteins to the damage site, and how PARP inhibitors affect replication and repair pathways. The work aims to uncover why some cancers respond to PARP inhibitors and how to design better drug combinations with existing chemotherapies. The project combines molecular studies in normal and cancer cells to identify mechanisms that could improve treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of DNA repair could lead to more effective cancer therapies and smarter use of PARP inhibitors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows PARP-related repair pathways are critical in sensitivity to certain cancer treatments, supporting potential translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tomkinson, Alan E — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Tomkinson, Alan E
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.