Genome Integrity and Cancer Prevention: Molecular Mechanisms of DNA Repair

Details

Description

Air date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 3:00:00 PM
Time displayed is Eastern Time, Washington DC Local

Category: Wednesday Afternoon Lectures
Description: G. Burroughs Mider Lecture
Established in 1968 in honor of the first NIH director of laboratories and clinics. The lecture is presented by an NIH intramural scientist to recognize and appreciate outstanding contributions to biomedical research.

DNA mismatch repair and translesion synthesis are two essential processes accompanying (or associated with) DNA replication and cell division to ensure genome stability and integrity. Failure in either of these processes leads to an increased mutation rate in all organisms and increased cancer propensity in humans. Although the genes and proteins involved in these pathways were identified more than ten years ago, we are still far away from understanding the molecular mechanisms and from the ultimate goal of using our knowledge to conquer cancer. In this seminar, I will show what we have learned about these processes using structural and molecular approaches. The focus will be on (1) how the mismatch repair proteins MutS and MutL remove mutations and protect us from colon cancers and Lynch Syndrome, and (2) how the special human DNA polymerase functions as a double agent that reduces both UV-damage induced skin cancers and the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy.

The NIH Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series includes weekly scientific talks by some of the top researchers in the biomedical sciences worldwide.

For more information, visit:
The NIH Director's Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series
Author: Wei Yang, Ph.D., Section Chief, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH
Runtime: 00:59:14

Permanent link: http://videocast.nih.gov/launch.asp?17125