Quantitative Real-Time DNA Repair Analysis Tools

Project Summary / Abstract DNA repair pathways maintain the integrity of the genome and thereby help prevent the onset of cancer, disease and aging phenotypes. Further, many cancer treatments function by inducing genomic DNA damage. As such, the critical requirement for DNA repair proteins and pathways in response to radiation and genotoxic chemotherapeutics implicates DNA repair proteins as prime targets for improving response to currently available anti-cancer regimens. Essential to the development of specific DNA repair inhibitors is the availability of robust, highly sensitive assays to measure DNA repair capacity. In addition, defects in critical DNA repair pathways or proteins can predispose to cancer onset and may also provide an option for therapeutic selectivity. Many of these defects in the 150 or more DNA repair proteins can be detected using current omics technologies. However, there are many defects that can only be detected using functional assays such as those described herein. To effectivel