DNA Repair and Radiation Oncology Scientific Program

This developing program focuses on expanding the basic knowledge of DNA repair and radiation cell stress responses in tumor versus normal cells. Further, the Program seeks to develop novel interventions of basic DNA repair or cell stress responses that can be translated for improved radiation therapy of cancer.

For more information contact the program leaders, David Chen, PhD or Hak Choy, MD.

Program Themes

• Clarify mechanisms of DNA Double Strand Break (DSB) Repair
• Understand signal transduction processes that originate from DNA lesions and control cell cycle checkpoints
• Explain ‘retrograde’ apoptotic responses to DNA damage in normal versus tumor cells
• Understand radiobiological responses in tumor versus normal tissue during high dose radiation therapy using novel animal models
• Develop effective radiosensitizers and radioprotectors to enhance radio- and/or chemo-therapies

-- Program Members -- Abrams, John, PhD Boothman, David, PhD Burma, Sandeep, PhD Chen, Benjamin, PhD Chen, David, PhD Choy, Hak, MD Friedberg, Errol, MD Gao, Boning, PhD Mason, Ralph, PhD Nirodi, Chaitanya, PhD Porteus, Matthew, MD, PhD Saha, Debabrata, PhD Shay, Jerry, PhD Story, Michael, PhD Thorpe, Philip, PhD Timmerman, Robert, MD Wright, Woodring, MD, PhD Yu, Hongtao, PhD