Modular microscope with tetrade micromanipulator for functionnal studies of DNA repair activities at chromosomal termini.

真核生物线性染色体的末端被称为端粒，类似于DNA双螺旋中断，这是威胁基因组完整性的DNA损伤中最危险的。虽然染色体断裂会立即受到DNA修复的影响，但端粒上的这种修复尝试可能会导致遗传信息丢失、基因组不稳定、细胞转化，最终导致细胞死亡。矛盾的是，几种与染色体断裂的感知和修复有关的蛋白质驻留在端粒上，并帮助它们的维持。我们的研究目标是确定区分端粒和基因组DNA断裂的分子特征，以及在整个细胞周期中DNA修复活动是如何在端粒上受到控制的。

The termini of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, known as telomeres, resemble DNA double-helix interruptions, the most dangerous among DNA lesions that threaten the integrity of the genome. While chromosomal breaks are immediately subjected to DNA repair, such repair attempts at telomeres can lead to loss of genetic information, genome instability, cellular transformation and, ultimately, cell death. Paradoxically, several proteins involved in sensing and repair of chromosomal breaks reside at telomeres and assist in their maintenance. Our research goal is to define the molecular features that distinguish telomeres from genomic DNA breaks and how DNA repair activities are controlled at telomeres throughout the cell cycle.