Induction and repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs)
One project in this laboratory focuses on how spontaneous DSBs arise and how they are repaired. The long-term goals are to create a better understanding of these processes to improve cancer treatment and to gain insights into the evolutionary process. For these studies, we use unicellular yeasts as model systems, namely the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the milk yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. A vast array of molecular genetic tools is available for these organisms, making it possible to manipulate them for your own needs. It is known that basic cellular processes, such as DSB-repair and regulation of chromatin structure are conserved among eukaryotes. Together, this makes yeasts ideally suited for these studies.
