Understanding how PALB2’s flexible region helps fix broken DNA
Official title: Mechanism of homologous recombination driven by the intrinsically disordered domain of tumor suppressor PALB2
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11322794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led study will look at how a fuzzy part of PALB2 helps repair DNA, which could improve cancer prevention and treatment in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $182,500 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM154323-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with BRCA1/BRCA2-related cancer risk or patients with DNA repair disorders who may benefit from future targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without BRCA-related risks or DNA repair deficiencies may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project investigates a naturally unstructured part of the PALB2 protein and how it supports homologous recombination, a key DNA repair process. Researchers will map the properties of the PALB2 DNA-binding domain and test how this disordered region contributes to repairing broken genetic material. The work uses biochemical and molecular biology approaches to understand protein interactions and the mechanism behind DNA repair. The findings could reveal new targets for therapies that enhance DNA repair in patients with BRCA-related cancer risk. The study is conducted at Saint Louis University, led by Sergey Korolev, and runs from 2024 to 2028.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of DNA repair could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat cancers linked to BRCA1/BRCA2 pathways.
How similar studies have gone: prior work shows IDPs can play crucial roles in DNA repair, with growing evidence supporting this approach as promising but still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korolev, Sergey — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Korolev, Sergey
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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.