Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of structure-selective endonucleases in DNA repair and genome stability

DNA是每个活着的有机体的一个重要组成部分，它提供了生命的蓝图，是每个细胞中生物过程所必需的。在正常的细胞生长过程中，这种遗传信息必须被准确地复制并传播到两个子细胞。自相矛盾的是，DNA极易受到自然(如代谢副产物)和环境中(如紫外线辐射、致癌化学品)的损害。如果不加以修复，受损的DNA可能会引发突变、染色体重排和基因组不稳定。为了抵消遗传毒性物质的有害影响，细胞包含复杂的DNA修复网络，以保护基因组的完整性，并确保细胞的正常功能。了解支撑这些基本细胞通路的复杂机制是研究DNA修复和基因组稳定性的基本生物学过程的科学家的主要目标。

An essential component of every living organism is DNA, which provides the blueprint for life and is required for the biological processes in each and every cell. During normal cell growth, this genetic information must be accurately replicated and propagated to two daughter cells. Paradoxically, DNA is highly susceptible to damage by agents that occur naturally (e.g. metabolic by-products) and in the environment (e.g. ultraviolet radiation, carcinogenic chemicals). If left unrepaired, damaged DNA can trigger mutations, chromosomal rearrangements and genome instability. To counteract the deleterious effects of genotoxic agents, cells contain sophisticated DNA repair networks that safeguard genome integrity and ensure proper cell function. Understanding the intricate mechanisms that underpin these essential cellular pathways is a major goal of scientists that study the basic biological processes of DNA repair and genome stability.