Understanding how cells fix their DNA

Every day, our DNA is exposed to damage that can lead to mutations, cancer, and inherited disorders if not properly repaired. Although researchers know that certain tumour-suppressing proteins play a crucial role in coordinating the DNA damage response, it remains unclear how these complexes function within chromatin, the natural environment of our genome.

With the new grant, Pablo Alcón and his team will use advanced structural and biochemical methods to study DNA repair directly inside human cells, providing a clearer picture of how cells maintain genome stability and what goes wrong in cancer.

“Our goal is to understand how the cell’s own repair machinery works in its natural context. By revealing how these repair complexes assemble and function, we hope to uncover fundamental mechanisms that protect genome integrity,” says Pablo Alcón.

Contributing to future cancer treatment

The knowledge gained from the project may help explain why certain mutations lead to cancer and could ultimately inform the development of more precise therapies and genome-editing tools.

The project is funded through Knæk Cancer, the national fundraising campaign organised by the Danish Cancer Society and TV 2 to support innovative cancer research.