生命学院学术报告

报告题目：DNA Damage-Induced Mutation during Translesion Synthesis

跨DNA损伤修复中引起的基因变异

讲座人：Prof. Linlin Zhao

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Central Michigan University, USA

时  间: 2015年5月22日上午10:00

地  点: 金光生命科学大楼610室

Abstract：The integrity of human genome is critical for human health. Our genetic material, DNA, is under the threat of thousands of endogenous and exogenous chemicals, which could result in formations of various DNA adducts or DNA lesions.  Although many DNA lesions can be repaired by DNA repair proteins, certain lesions are poorly repaired and can encounter DNA polymerases (key enzymes responsible for copying DNA) during DNA replication. These "abnormal" DNA modifications can disrupt the regular functions of DNA polymerases and cause replication stalling, mutations, or cell death, etc. Organisms from bacteria to humans are equipped with special DNA polymerases to bypass various DNA lesions to ensure continuous DNA replication. These special DNA polymerases are known as translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases. TLS, however, comes at a price of introducing errors into genome. Thus TLS is particularly important to human health and disease. Dr. Zhao`s research focuses on understanding how DNA damage induces mutations during TLS. We are currently investigating the interactions of TLS DNA polymerases with several types of DNA lesions caused by oxidative stress or ionizing radiation. Our long-term goal is to reveal the molecular mechanisms of human diseases associated with DNA damage.

Biography

Dr. Zhao obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at Jilin University and his Ph.D. at University of Connecticut. After postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he joined Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Central Michigan University. His research interests center on DNA damage, DNA damage response, DNA metabolism and enzymology of DNA polymerase. He has authored 19 peer-reviewed publications, including prestigious journals such as J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed and J. Biol. Chem.

For more information, visit http://people.cst.cmich.edu/zhao5l/Zhaolab/Home.html

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