International researchers shed new light on DNA repair

Researchers from INAC recently worked with scientists from France, Poland, and Russia to identify a previously-unknown mechanism to repair the uracil lesion, a major DNA alteration that can cause cancer. INAC’s biochemists helped prepare synthetic DNA fragments containing the uracil lesion, and then analyzed the enzyme repair process at work. Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, they were able to clearly identify the damaged DNA fragments released during repair.
This crucial advance in basic science could have repercussions in radiotherapy, for instance, where it could help inhibit DNA repair in irradiated tumor cells.  

Contact: didier.gasparutto@cea.fr

Facebook

Twitter