Understanding How Our Cells Repair Damaged DNA
Recombinational Mechanisms of DNA Repair
This research explores the fundamental ways our cells fix broken DNA, which is important for preventing cancer and improving cancer treatments.
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 ID | NIH-11124813 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies constantly repair DNA damage, a process called homologous recombination (HR), which is crucial for keeping our genes healthy. When HR doesn't work correctly, it can lead to genomic instability, increasing the risk of cancer. This project aims to uncover the exact steps of HR, focusing on a key intermediate structure called the D-loop. By understanding these basic mechanisms, we hope to find new ways to target cancer cells and make existing treatments more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to individuals with a family history of cancer, those with genetic predispositions to cancer, or patients undergoing cancer treatments that damage DNA.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions related to DNA repair defects or cancer may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for preventing cancer and developing more effective treatments that exploit cancer cells' unique vulnerabilities.
How similar studies have performed: While the overall field of DNA repair is well-established, this project uses newly developed assays to explore specific mechanisms for the first time, building on existing knowledge.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- 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
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.