Our lab works on mechanisms of DNA damage, DNA damage response, DNA repair, mutagenesis, and the coupling of these cellular processes in organisms ranging from yeast to mice to human cells. We employ cutting-edge approaches from diverse areas, including genomics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and machine learning, to investigate the intricate interplay between DNA damage formation, DNA repair, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis.
Key Focus Areas:
1. DNA Damage Formation and Nucleotide Excision Repair in Germline Mutagenesis
Maintaining the integrity of the germ cell genome is of utmost importance because it directly influences the genetic makeup of future generations. We utilize diverse approaches to achieve a fundamental understanding of how DNA damage and repair contribute to germline mutagenesis. Our findings will not only advance scientific understanding but also inform public health policies and interventions.
2. Biological Process of Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
Genomic DNA is constantly attacked by a plethora of DNA damaging agents both from endogenous and exogenous sources. NER is the most versatile repair pathway that recognizes and removes a wide range of bulky and/or helix-distorting DNA lesions. Even though the molecular mechanism of NER is well studied through in vitro system, the NER process inside the cell is more complicated because the genomic DNA in eukaryotes is tightly packaged into chromosomes and compacted into a nucleus. We utilize cutting-edge sequencing approaches to dissect the biological process of NER in organisms ranging from yeast to mice to human cells.
3. Methodologies for Detecting DNA Damage/Repair/Mutation and Analyzing Omics Big Data
Rapid advances in sequencing technologies have facilitated the emergence of a variety of methods for detecting DNA damage/repair/mutation at single nucleotide resolution in the last decade. These methods are able to generate enormous data sets in a short amount of time and in a cost-effective manner. We are working on developing novel methods for detecting DNA damage/repair/mutation and use data-mining and machine learning as tools to propel understanding of biological mechanisms and to discover novel diagnostics and therapeutics.
1. DNA Damage Formation and Nucleotide Excision Repair in Germline Mutagenesis
Maintaining the integrity of the germ cell genome is of utmost importance because it directly influences the genetic makeup of future generations. We utilize diverse approaches to achieve a fundamental understanding of how DNA damage and repair contribute to germline mutagenesis. Our findings will not only advance scientific understanding but also inform public health policies and interventions.
2. Biological Process of Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER)
Genomic DNA is constantly attacked by a plethora of DNA damaging agents both from endogenous and exogenous sources. NER is the most versatile repair pathway that recognizes and removes a wide range of bulky and/or helix-distorting DNA lesions. Even though the molecular mechanism of NER is well studied through in vitro system, the NER process inside the cell is more complicated because the genomic DNA in eukaryotes is tightly packaged into chromosomes and compacted into a nucleus. We utilize cutting-edge sequencing approaches to dissect the biological process of NER in organisms ranging from yeast to mice to human cells.
3. Methodologies for Detecting DNA Damage/Repair/Mutation and Analyzing Omics Big Data
Rapid advances in sequencing technologies have facilitated the emergence of a variety of methods for detecting DNA damage/repair/mutation at single nucleotide resolution in the last decade. These methods are able to generate enormous data sets in a short amount of time and in a cost-effective manner. We are working on developing novel methods for detecting DNA damage/repair/mutation and use data-mining and machine learning as tools to propel understanding of biological mechanisms and to discover novel diagnostics and therapeutics.