Genome Maintenance Research Program
Changes to the genome are at the epicenter of cancer mechanisms and response to therapies. The Genome Maintenance Research Program is a cohesive network of basic science researchers focused on understanding how DNA is damaged, repaired, packaged, expressed, and replicated.
RESEARCH THEMES
Members of the Genome Maintenance Program have expertise across all of the major processes involved in the faithful maintenance and expression of the genetic material:
Carcinogen Metabolism
How environmental agents and the products of natural cellular metabolism cause mutations and lead to cancer
Chromatin & Epigenetics
How the epigenome contributes to genome integrity and expression and how it goes awry in cancer
DNA Damage Response
How DNA damage response pathways are activated and how they function to maintain genome integrity and suppress cancer
DNA Metabolism
How DNA damage is repaired and how defects in these processes lead to cancer
Gene Expression
How control of gene expression is central to normal cellular homeostasis and cancer mechanisms
Meet the Program Members
Co-led by David Cortez, Ph.D., and William Tansey, Ph.D., the Genome Maintenance program includes faculty members from over a dozen departments and centers across campus. Research interests of our members are broad and encompassing — from control of DNA replication and mitosis to mechanisms of DNA damage, DNA damage response and repair, chromatin, epigenetics, and the regulation of gene activity. This vibrant group of researchers harbors expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, genomics, model organisms, proteomics, and structural biology. Their specific research strengths, together with a common focus on the genome, creates a highly synergistic environment where both formal and informal collaborations thrive and bolster our research accomplishments and impact.
