The role of a novel family of eukaryotic DNA polymerases in mitochondrial DNA replication

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Our cells contain DNA, the so called 'genetic blueprint of life' which encodes the information for our genes. DNA has a simple repeating structure composed of two complementary strands of DNA, which form a double-helix structure. This structure is contained in nearly every cell and must be copied as cells divide. Our cells produce a large number of proteins responsible for 'photocopying' this DNA in a process called DNA replication and it does this task with great accuracy. However, if this process goes wrong it can lead to the development of diseases, such as cancer. DNA polymerases are protein 'machines' that read the message of the 'parent' DNA and copy this to produce a new daughter DNA. We have discovered a new family of polymerases in human cells whose function is currently unknown. The focus of this work is to understand if these newly discovered proteins also have roles in replicating and repairing DNA and, if so, what specific role do they play in DNA replication.