Objective DNA, if damaged, cannot be replaced. If not replaceable, it must be repaired. The so-called “DNA damage response” (DDR) is a coordinate set of evolutionary conserved events that arrest the cell-cycle (DNA damage checkpoint function) in proliferating cells and attempts DNA repair. Until DNA damage has not been repaired in full, cell proliferation is not resumed in normal cells.DNA damage is a physiological event. Ageing and cancer are both associated with DNA damage accumulation. In the past, we contribute to better understand the mechanisms and the consequences of DNA damage generation and DDR activation in both settings.We have recently identified a completely hitherto undiscovered level of control of DDR activation, so far considered a proteinaceous only signaling cascade. We have discovered that short RNA species are detectable at DNA damage sites and are necessary for DDR activation at DNA lesions. These RNA species are generated by an evolutionary-conserved RNA processing machinery. However, they serve purposes never reported before.We believe that our findings change radically our understanding of DDR modulation in mammals and disclose a fertile unspoilt ground for exciting investigations. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogy Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS1 - ERC Advanced Grant - Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry Call for proposal ERC-2012-ADG_20120314 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Host institution IFOM-ISTITUTO FONDAZIONE DI ONCOLOGIA MOLECOLARE ETS EU contribution € 2 329 200,00 Address VIA ADAMELLO 16 20139 Milano Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Carlo Raimondi Cominesi (Dr.) Principal investigator Fabrizio D'adda Di Fagagna (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all IFOM-ISTITUTO FONDAZIONE DI ONCOLOGIA MOLECOLARE ETS Italy EU contribution € 2 329 200,00 Address VIA ADAMELLO 16 20139 Milano See on map Region Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Carlo Raimondi Cominesi (Dr.) Principal investigator Fabrizio D'adda Di Fagagna (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data