Dr. Dana Branzei

DNA damage repair and chromosome structure

IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology

Phone: +39 348 173 1551
Email

Branzei will focus on uncovering the functions of the Chl1 helicase, a crucial component of the DNA damage response and the yeast homolog of the human DDX11 helicase, mutated in Warsaw breakage syndrome, a cohesinopathy-linked genetic disorder. She will investigate its roles in both endogenous replication and upon acute DNA damage, with emphasis on DNA damage tolerance and sister chromatid cohesion. Her team will employ a combination of yeast genetics and molecular biology techniques to dissect the mechanistic functions of Chl1 in these processes and determine whether—and how—these roles are interconnected. Specifically, they will explore whether activating alternative DNA damage tolerance pathways or enhancing cohesin stability on DNA for sister chromatid cohesion can compensate for one or both of the defects associated with Chl1 loss. The ultimate goal is to elucidate how replisome-associated factors, such as Chl1, regulate cell cycle transitions by facilitating DNA repair and chromosome segregation. Additionally, they will investigate the broader relevance of these mechanisms contributing to proliferation in cellular models of genomic instability.