
Human chromosomes are constantly assaulted by challenges to their integrity as a result of either environmental agents that damage DNA or from normal DNA metabolism. The failure to repair damaged DNA faithfully is ultimately responsible for many human diseases, especially cancer. This laboratory focuses on the repair of 1 particular lesion in DNA, the double-strand break (DSB). DSBs arise from agents, such as ionizing radiation, and can also occur spontaneously during DNA replication. Our emphasis is on repair of DSBs by homologous recombination, with a particular interest in the role of homologous recombination in maintaining genetic stability. Understanding the repair of DSBs is not only important for basic science and health concerns, but also impacts on molecular genetic manipulations of mammalian genomes.

Maria Jasin, PhD
Professor
Research Focus
Developmental biologist Maria Jasin focuses on double-strand break repair and genomic integrity in mammalian cells and the relationship to tumor suppression.Education
PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Office Phone: 212-639-7438
- Lab Phone: 212-639-8384
Publications
- Feng, W., Jasin, M., (2017) BRCA2 suppresses replication stress induced mitotic and G1 abnormalities through homologous recombination. Nat Commun 8:525. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00634-0.
- Chen, C.C., Kass, E.M., Yen, W.F., Ludwig, T., Moynahan, M.E., Chaudhuri, J., and Jasin, M. (2017) ATM loss leads to synthetic lethality in BRCA1 BRCT mutant mice associated with exacerbated defects in homology-directed repair Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 14:7665-7670.
Selected Achievements
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2015)
- Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2016)
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017)