DNA double-strand breaks
DNA is the blueprint of life, so the information must be protected. However, DNA is constantly suffering from various stimuli that damage the structure of DNA molecules. One such stimulus is UV light, which, for instance, cross-links DNA double-helical duplex. Another stimulus, ionising radiation, causes more severe damage called DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which "cut" the two DNA strands. This damage prevents molecular machinery from reading genetic information encoded in DNA. This means that DSBs can completely shut down cellular activity. It has been estimated that each cell of our body experiences ~50 DSBs daily, which is catastrophic. However, we can live normally and maintain our health. This is because our cell has a mechanism to repair DSBs very efficiently. DSB is not the only damage; other types of DNA damage are also repaired in our body. This mechanism is altogether called DNA repair.
DNA is the blueprint of life, so the information must be protected. However, DNA is constantly suffering from various stimuli that damage the structure of DNA molecules. One such stimulus is UV light, which, for instance, cross-links DNA double-helical duplex. Another stimulus, ionising radiation, causes more severe damage called DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which "cut" the two DNA strands. This damage prevents molecular machinery from reading genetic information encoded in DNA. This means that DSBs can completely shut down cellular activity. It has been estimated that each cell of our body experiences ~50 DSBs daily, which is catastrophic. However, we can live normally and maintain our health. This is because our cell has a mechanism to repair DSBs very efficiently. DSB is not the only damage; other types of DNA damage are also repaired in our body. This mechanism is altogether called DNA repair.
DSBs are double-edged swords
DSBs also have a positive side. Our body utilises DSBs. How can our body generate antibodies against many pathogens from a limited number of antibody genes? There are mechanisms to edit antibody genes to generate antibody diversity. It is like cut-and-paste. During the process, DSBs are generated and repaired. Similar gene editing mechanisms are used to shuffle maternal and paternal genes and are found in different organisms.
DSBs also have a positive side. Our body utilises DSBs. How can our body generate antibodies against many pathogens from a limited number of antibody genes? There are mechanisms to edit antibody genes to generate antibody diversity. It is like cut-and-paste. During the process, DSBs are generated and repaired. Similar gene editing mechanisms are used to shuffle maternal and paternal genes and are found in different organisms.
DSBs and repairing them in plants
DSB repair is also essential for plant health, mainly because plants cannot seek shade alone. Notably, DSBs and their repair are critical for biotechnology to edit plant genomes because DSBs are generated during the gene editing process, similar to diversifying antibodies. Therefore, understanding how plants repair DSBs is important for plant health and biotechnology.
DSB-repair mechanisms are well-conserved across eukaryotes. Our knowledge about the mechanisms mostly comes from extensive studies on mammals and yeasts. The knowledge helps us understand how DSBs are repaired in plants. However, looking into details, plant DNA repair differs from other organisms. For instance, some crucial genes of DSB repair in mammals are missing in plant genomes, raising the question of how plants repair DSBs.
DSB repair is also essential for plant health, mainly because plants cannot seek shade alone. Notably, DSBs and their repair are critical for biotechnology to edit plant genomes because DSBs are generated during the gene editing process, similar to diversifying antibodies. Therefore, understanding how plants repair DSBs is important for plant health and biotechnology.
DSB-repair mechanisms are well-conserved across eukaryotes. Our knowledge about the mechanisms mostly comes from extensive studies on mammals and yeasts. The knowledge helps us understand how DSBs are repaired in plants. However, looking into details, plant DNA repair differs from other organisms. For instance, some crucial genes of DSB repair in mammals are missing in plant genomes, raising the question of how plants repair DSBs.
Mission
Our plant DNA-repair project currently aims to understand how plants repair DSBs and contribute to gaining knowledge about the fundamental mechanism to protect plant health.
Our plant DNA-repair project currently aims to understand how plants repair DSBs and contribute to gaining knowledge about the fundamental mechanism to protect plant health.