Understanding DNA Repair for Cancer Treatment
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Recombination at DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Stalled Replication Forks
This project explores how cells fix damaged DNA, a process vital for preventing diseases like cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160695 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies constantly face DNA damage from everyday sources and environmental factors, and if this damage isn't fixed correctly, it can lead to serious problems like cancer. This research looks closely at how cells repair these DNA breaks, focusing on a process called genetic recombination. By studying these fundamental repair mechanisms in yeast cells, which share many basic biological processes with humans, we hope to uncover new insights. This work also considers how gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas systems, used to understand human diseases, rely on these same repair pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for patients with cancers or other conditions linked to DNA damage and genome instability.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to DNA damage or genetic instability may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of how cancer develops and potentially inspire new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall field of DNA repair is well-established, this project introduces a novel system to observe the fate of DNA ends during recombination in diploid cells for the first time.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rothstein, Rodney J. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Rothstein, Rodney J.
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.