Genome Function and Stability
Genome function and stability is a broad area of research. The goal is to understand how DNA is expressed, preserved and transmitted to future generations.
In recent years, the genomes of a number of animals and plants have been fully mapped. As a result, our knowledge of individual molecules in the many cellular processes surrounding DNA has increased. One of the remaining challenges is to understand how genes are controlled and how molecules interact to control different processes in cells and organisms.
Research in this area focuses in part on understanding more about fundamental biological mechanisms, for example, how cells repair damaged DNA, or what happens when individual genes are expressed. It also studies how genetic information is used in certain biological processes. One area studies how immunity is developed. Another area studies how neural tubes – an important building block in blood vessels, lungs and intestines – develop in embryos. The study of fundamental biological processes is important for understanding how organisms work and how diseases occur. For example, dysregulation of genetic programmes could lead to cancer.
Research is conducted by some ten research groups. Their work spans multiple fields, including molecular genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology and physiology. Besides mammalian cells, much of the work is done on model organisms, usually bacteria, yeast, insects and mice. Researchers collaborate with the resource centre SciLifeLab, with research groups from KI and KTH, and with many foreign laboratories. The research is partially funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society, and the EU.
Web editor:
Paul Parker
Last updated:
November 23, 2011
Source: Communications Office
