Telomere errors that can let cancer begin
POLQ- and CtIP-regulated telomere fusions and translocations are involved in early events in carcinogenesis
Researchers are looking at how mistakes at the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) let cells become immortal and start cancers, which could help people worried about cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124065 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will work mainly with human cell models to watch what happens when telomeres become very short and chromosomes fuse. They will change the activity of proteins called POLQ and CtIP and then track whether cells escape the dangerous 'crisis' stage and stabilize their genomes. Experiments will measure telomere length, fusion events, and large-scale genome rearrangements using genetic, biochemical, and imaging methods. The goal is to clarify the early steps that allow normal cells to become cancerous.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers suspected to involve telomere dysfunction or inherited telomere maintenance disorders could be most relevant for future applications of this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers arise from unrelated mechanisms or people without cancer are less likely to gain direct benefit from these findings in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to detect, prevent, or target cancers that arise from telomere-driven genome instability.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown other DNA repair proteins (like DNA ligase III and PARP1) help cells survive telomere crisis, so this builds on known pathways though the POLQ/CtIP focus is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hendrickson, Eric a — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Hendrickson, Eric 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.