Department Molecular Genetics
Principal investigator Roland Kanaar
E-mail address r.kanaar@erasmusmc.nl
Dynamic organization of DNA repair proteins at damage sites
Supervisor: Maarten Paul, m.w.paul@erasmusmc.nl
Our research group aims to determine how proteins work together to achieve precision and control in Homologous Recombination (HR) DNA repair. We focus on the nanomachinery composition, architectural arrangement, and how these are controlled in time and space. Our multidisciplinary approach moves beyond determining highly detailed but static structure to learn how proteins work together in complex and dynamic assemblies that accomplish the work in living cells. We use advanced live-cell imaging and analysis tools to determine the in vivo diffusive behavior of specific proteins and functional complexes in mammalian cell nuclei. We also use super-resolution microscopy to define the organization of repair proteins that accumulate in high local concentration at break sites and relate organization to function.
Techniques
- Live-cell imaging
- Single-molecule tracking
- Super-resolution microscopy (TIRF/dSTORM)
- Image analysis (Fiji) & data analysis (R/Python/Matlab)
- Molecular cloning
- CRISPR/Cas9
Further reading
Paul, M.W., et al. (2023). BioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.20.527475