We study protein structure and function to understand how cells replicate and repair DNA, and how the integrity of the genome is preserved during these processes. A major objective is to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins to visualize how their architecture and design are related to their functions in the cell. We are particularly interested in the proteins that detect and respond to breaks in the structure of DNA, a common and potentially lethal form of DNA damage. X-ray crystallography is our primary tool for determining the structures of proteins and protein-DNA complexes. We also use other biophysical techniques, biochemical tools, and cell biological approaches to assay protein structure and function.

Structural cell biology; protein structure and function; macromolecular x-ray crystallography; DNA damage detection and repair; DNA replication; chromosomal metabolism and genome maintenance; biochemistry; biophysics; poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs); DNA ligases; NAD metabolism; ADP ribosylation reactions