WANG LAB

Our research focus is to understand the structure and function of unusual DNA sequences in living cells, and how these sequences cause genome instability and lead to human diseases. Human chromosomal fragile sites have been correlated with the chromosomal deletions and gene rearrangements found in many cancers. Our studies are aimed at understanding the genesis of breakpoints that occur at or near fragile sites during oncogenesis... Chromosomal fragile sites, which are regions of the genome that exhibit chromosomal breakage under conditions of mild replication stress, are predicted to form stable DNA secondary structures. We have developed a protocol can narrow down sites of true fragility within the current cytogenetically-defined fragile sites, and uncover potential new fragile sites previously unidentified or too small to be observed cytogenetically. The ultimate goal is to create a list of legitimate sites that are prone to DNA breakage caused by the secondary structure-forming..

Primary location: Charlottesville United States