DNA Repair and Radiation Oncology Scientific Program

The DNA Repair and Radiation Oncology Scientific 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 leader, David Chen, PhD.

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