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DNA strand break repair and links to human disease

Objective

Our genetic material is continually subjected to damage, either from endogenous sources such as reactive oxygen species, produced as by-products of oxidative metabolism, from the breakdown of replication forks during cell growth, or by agents in the environment such as ionising radiation or carcinogenic chemicals. To cope with DNA damage, cells employ elaborate and effective repair processes that specifically recognise a wide variety of lesions in DNA. These repair systems are essential for the maintenance of genome integrity. Unfortunately, some individuals are genetically predisposed to crippling diseases or cancers that are the direct result of mutations in genes involved in the DNA damage response. For several years our work has been at the forefront of basic biological research in the area of DNA repair, and in particular we have made significant contributions to the understanding of inheritable diseases such as breast cancer, Fanconi anemia, and the neurodegenerative disorder Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia (AOA). The focus of this ERC proposal is: (i) to determine the mechanism of action and high-resolution structure of the BRCA2 tumour suppressor, and to provide a detailed picture of the interplay between BRCA2, PALB2, RAD51AP1 and the RAD51 paralogs, in terms of RAD51 filament assembly, using biochemical, electron microscopic and cell biological approaches, (ii) to determine the biological role of a unique structure-selective tri-nuclease complex (SLX1-SLX4-MUS81-EME1-XPF-ERCC1), with particular emphasis on its roles in DNA crosslink repair and Fanconi anemia, and (iii) to understand the actions of Senataxin, which is defective in AOA2, in protecting against genome instability in neuronal cells. These three distinct and yet inter-related areas of the research programme will provide an improved understanding of basic mechanisms of DNA repair and thereby underpin future therapeutic developments that will help individuals afflicted with these diseases.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2014-ADG

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Host institution

THE FRANCIS CRICK INSTITUTE LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 203 153,00
Address
1 MIDLAND ROAD
NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 2 203 153,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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