DNA Repair & Genome Stability

DNA is frequently damaged by exposure to UV radiation, oxidative stress and mutagenic chemicals. If DNA damage accumulates, it can lead to cell death or even cancer. Consequently, cells must be highly efficient at detecting and repairing DNA damage in order to survive. We study the molecular mechanisms cells use to repair damaged DNA, avoid genome instability when replicating DNA, and prevent mistakes when producing proteins. By understanding how they keep their genome intact, we hope to find new strategies for preventing cancer and slowing ageing.

Key techniques used: CRISPR/Cas9, embryonic stem cell culture, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), high-throughput microscopy, mass spectrometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), next-generation sequencing (NGS), flow cytometry, DNA combing.

Keywords: DNA double-strand break, DNA repair, mutation, DNA replication, telomere, transposable element, transposon, mRNA decay, protein degradation, genome instability, genome integrity, cancer, ageing.

IPP Groups in DNA Repair & Genome Stability:

GroupDescriptionInstitute
Brian Luke

RNA-DNA HYBRIDS, TELOMERE BIOLOGY & GENOMIC INSTABILITY

IMB  JGU 
Christof Niehrs

DNA DEMETHYLATION, DNA REPAIR AND REPROGRAMMING

IMB 
Eva Wolf

Circadian clocks as gene regulatory systems

JGU 
Helle Ulrich

UBIQUITIN, SUMO AND GENOME MAINTENANCE

IMB 
Katja Luck

Integrative Systems Biology

IMB 
Nard Kubben

Biology of ageing & ageing-related diseases

IMB 
Peter Baumann

Telomere biology and chromosomal inheritance

IMB  JGU 
Petra Beli

Chromatin Biology & Proteomics

IMB 
Sandra Schick

CHROMATIN REGULATION in health and disease

IMB 
Siyao Wang

Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of paternal DNA damage

IMB 
Sven Danckwardt

Dynamics of transcriptome 3’end diversity in development and disease

UMC 
Thomas Hofmann

DNA damage & Cancer

UMC 
Thomas Kindler

Role of oncogenic signalling in epigenetics and DNA repair

UMC