Studies in this laboratory are designed to elucidate the role of DNA repair processes in carcinogenesis and in normal and abnormal aging. Most studies have been conducted with cells from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum who have defective DNA repair plus multiple cutaneous malignancies and premature aging of sun-exposed skin and of the nervous system. Cells from patients with primary neuronal, muscular, and retinal degenerations are also being studied. These diseases include ataxia telangiectasia, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, Friedreich ataxia, and Cockayne syndrome. These studies are designed to elucidate the pathogenesis of these disorders. We assess the biological effectiveness of DNA repair by 1) in vitro assays of cell survival after treatment of the cells with DNA-damaging agents; 2) analysis of chromosome and chromatid aberrations in cells treated with DNA-damaging agents; and 3) transfection studies using irradiated shuttle vector plasmids. We search for DNA damage by 1) extracting the DNA and having it subjected to analysis by capillary-gas chromatography mass-spectrometry; 2) studying unscheduled DNA synthesis induced in cultured cells by chemical carcinogens; and 3) determining the alkaline elution profile of DNA from cultured cells after their treatment with DNA-damaging agents.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Division of Cancer Biology And Diagnosis (NCI)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01CB003638-19
Application #
3939208
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Cancer Biology and Diagnosis
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code