Understanding how cells fix broken DNA strands
Molecular mechanisms of pathway choice in DNA double strand break repair
This work aims to uncover how our cells choose different ways to repair damaged DNA, which is important for preventing and treating cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11084292 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our cells constantly face DNA damage, especially dangerous breaks in both strands of DNA. To fix these, cells use several repair pathways, like a quick 'glue' method or a more complex 'rebuilding' process. When cells pick the wrong repair method, it can lead to serious problems like cancer. This project seeks to understand the exact molecular steps and proteins involved in how cells decide which repair pathway to use. By learning more about these fundamental choices, we hope to find new ways to target cancer cells that have faulty DNA repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals with various types of cancer by improving our understanding of disease mechanisms.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or those whose cancer does not involve DNA repair pathway deficiencies may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for cancer treatment by identifying vulnerabilities in how cancer cells repair their DNA.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific molecular details of pathway choice are still being uncovered, other studies have shown that understanding DNA repair mechanisms can lead to effective cancer therapies.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loparo, Joseph J. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Loparo, Joseph 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.