Understanding how DNA repair pathways work in cancer cells
Official title: Regulation of DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11014590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two proteins, BRCA2 and RAD52, help cancer cells fix their damaged DNA, with the goal of finding better treatments for tumors that struggle with this repair process, so that doctors can choose the best therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $120,750 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA273911-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer or other tumors that have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not involve BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind how certain proteins, specifically BRCA2 and RAD52, influence the repair of DNA damage in cancer cells. By studying how these proteins interact with DNA repair pathways, the research aims to identify potential new treatments for tumors that lack effective DNA repair mechanisms. The approach includes both laboratory experiments and biochemical analyses to understand the roles of these proteins in delaying DNA repair processes. The findings could lead to improved patient selection for targeted therapies and enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with specific types of breast cancer and other tumors that are deficient in DNA repair mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting DNA repair pathways in cancer, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heyer, Wolf-Dietrich — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Heyer, Wolf-Dietrich
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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.