David Jeruzalmi

My research group is broadly interested in the molecular mechanisms that underlie the faithful transmission of genetic information. We are currently focused on two key areas: the machinery involved in DNA replication initiation and nucleotide excision repair. A large body of work has described the associated complexes and details of how they operate. And yet, something as fundamental as a three- dimensional image of the active entity in various stages of operation remains elusive. The goal of research in my laboratory is to provide a structural understanding of these "machines" and, through the concomitant application of biochemical approaches, to gain a fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We are working with eukaryotic and bacterial entities to use parallel analysis to extract fundamental principles. Control of DNA replication initiation and genome integrity is central to cell growth and is frequently compromised in cancer. Understanding the structures of the associated protein complexes will spur the development of new therapeutics.