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.

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

IPP Groups in DNA Repair & Genome Stability:

InstituteGroupDescription
Brian Luke

The function and regulation of RNA-DNA hybrids

Christof Niehrs

DNA demethylation, reprogramming and differentiation

Eva Wolf

Circadian clocks as gene regulatory systems

Falk Butter

Quantitative proteomics in telomere biology and long non-coding RNA regulation

Helle Ulrich

Genome maintenance and ubiquitin-dependent signalling

Katja Luck

Integrative Systems Biology

Nard Kubben

Biology of ageing & ageing-related diseases

Peter Baumann

Telomere biology and chromosomal inheritance

Petra Beli

Decoding DNA damage signaling using quantitative mass spectrometry

Sandra Schick

Genome regulation by chromatin remodelling during development and disease

Sven Danckwardt

Dynamics of transcriptome 3’end diversity in development and disease

Thomas Hofmann

DNA damage & Cancer

Thomas Kindler

Role of oncogenic signalling in epigenetics and DNA repair