Seminar: Research in Progress – Postdoctalks

WENTAO LI, PHD                                                                                                                         Lab: Sancar

Seminar title,
“Mapping the Hotspots and Coldspots of Nucleotide Excision Repair and DNA Damage Formation”

Abstract: The level of DNA damage formation and the efficiency of repair are of primary importance because they determine the ultimate DNA damage frequency and its persistence in the genome, which directly affect mutagenesis. I will discuss our recent works on using adductomic methods to identify the hotspots and coldspots of nucleotide excision repair and DNA damage formation.

LEIAH CAREY, PHD                                                                                                                     Lab: Campbell

Seminar title,

“Structural Characterization of Oncogenic KRAS Q61 Mutants”

Abstract: The three RAS genes (HRAS, KRAS and NRAS) comprise the most frequently mutated oncogene family in cancer (~30%). It is becoming increasing clear that all RAS mutations are not created equal and their distinctive differences may harbor attractive therapeutic targets. Currently, there is an anti-RAS G12C inhibitor drug currently in phase 2 clinical trials, however it targets only one of number of prominent oncogenic RAS mutants. Inhibitors to other oncogenic RAS mutants are needed. Presented are preliminary results showing that a subset of oncogenic RAS Q61 mutations show distinct biochemical and structural properties. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that select RAS Q61 mutants may adopt conformations that are vulnerable to structure-based drug discovery efforts