Understanding how a protein helps cancer cells repair DNA damage
Official title: Determining the Role of Replication Protein A in Polymerase Theta-Mediated End-Joining
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11068011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called RPA helps cancer cells fix their DNA after treatments like radiation and chemotherapy, which could lead to new ways to make those cancer cells more vulnerable to these therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $41,656 |
| NIH project number | 1F30CA298183-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11068011 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are known to rely on polymerase theta-mediated end-joining for DNA repair.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancers do not utilize the polymerase theta-mediated end-joining pathway may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of replication protein A (RPA) in a specific DNA repair process called polymerase theta-mediated end-joining (TMEJ), which is crucial for cancer cells to survive after treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. By studying how RPA interacts with other proteins involved in TMEJ, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that allow cancer cells to resist these therapies. The approach includes both cell-based experiments and assays using cell-free systems to analyze the function of RPA in DNA repair. This could lead to better strategies for targeting cancer cells that rely on this repair pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments that effectively target and kill cancer cells by disrupting their DNA repair mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in targeting DNA repair pathways in cancer cells, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights and advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longley, Martha Jean — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Longley, Martha Jean
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.