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Pharmacology & Chemical Biology Seminar Series
4/27/2023 - 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
“DNA strand break repair and links to human disease”

 

Stephen West, FRS, FMedSci 
Principal Group Leader
The Francis Crick Institute

DNA instability is a major cause of inheritable human diseases, such as cancers or neurological disorders, and is also responsible for many aspects of the ageing process. Fortunately, our cells possess a large repertoire of DNA repair processes that maintain our DNA in perfect condition.
Steve West’s laboratory has pioneered the study of enzymes that promote the intricate DNA interactions necessary for the recombinational repair of DNA strand breaks. Using biochemistry, structural biology and molecular genetics, his lab has determined mechanisms of DNA repair that act to prevent tumourigenesis, in particular focusing on the BRCA2 protein that is defective in inheritable breast and ovarian cancers.
In this lecture, Steve will present new cryo-EM studies that define the structure and mechanism of action of the human RAD52 and RAD51 paralog complexes, and will provide new insights into novel therapeutic approaches that aim to kill BRCA-defective cancers.
 
Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower
1395 Conference Room
203 Lothrop St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Contact
Melanie Hoffner

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