120.624.01 GENOME INTEGRITY AND CANCER

Examines molecular mechanisms devoted to the preservation of genome integrity eukaryotic cells. Topics include DNA damage recognition, DNA repair pathways, cell cycle checkpoint mechanisms, the role of p53 in DNA damage responses, the role of ubiquitination and sumoylation in DNA repair, telomere maintenance and DNA repair proteins as target for therapeutic intervention. Emphasizes the relevance of these mechanisms for human cancer.

This is a Ph.D. level course designed to give the student mastery of the molecular mechanisms that maintain the integrity of DNA structure and information content. The course is taught through lectures, each of which focuses on a particular topic regarding repair of DNA damage. Students will learn about chemical reactions that result in DNA damage, enzyme mechanisms and protein structures of DNA damage repair systems, and how DNA protection and repair systems function in the context of the cell. The course will emphasize connections between DNA damage and human disease, particularly cancer.