Section on DNA Replication, Repair, and Mutagenesis

Head: Roger Woodgate

 Under optimal conditions, the fidelity of DNA replication is extremely high. Indeed, it is estimated that, on average, only one error occurs in every 1010 bases replicated. However, as living organisms are continually subjected to a variety of endogenous and exogenous DNA-damaging agents, optimal conditions rarely prevail in vivo. Although all organisms have evolved elaborate repair pathways to deal with such damage, these pathways rarely operate with 100 percent efficiency. As a consequence, persisting DNA lesions are replicated, but with much lower fidelity than undamaged DNA. We therefore aim to understand the molecular mechanisms by which mutations are introduced into damaged DNA.

Resources

• Employee Listing
• E-Mail the Lab: woodgate@mail.nih.gov
• SDRRM Home Page