Research interests:

Cancer cells have a high level of genetic instability, including large chromosome abnormalities such as rearrangements, amplifications, and deletions, and small changes such as the mutation of single bases. Naturally-occurring “fragile sites” on human chromosomes are correlated with genetic instability in cancer cells, but it is not well understood how and why these fragile sites generate instability. The research in my laboratory investigates instability at fragile sites from both yeast and human cells. My students and I are investigating the mechanism of DNA double-strand break formation at yeast and human fragile sites, the consequences of breaks at these sites, and the processes by which these breaks are repaired. This knowledge will help us elucidate the mechanisms involved in genetic instability at fragile sites in tumor cells and further understand the genetic alterations contributing to the progression of cancer in humans. For more information about the lab and opportunities to join the research team, please click the "Visit Homepage" link above.