Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Preservation of DNA integrity throughout the lifetime of each living organism is critical. Many DNA repair processes evolved in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, employing highly conserved proteins. Defects in the repair pathways underlie numerous human genetic diseases such as developmental syndromes, and further predispose to neurological disorders and cancer. DNA damage-inducible protein 1 (DDI1) is one of the recently discovered guardians of the genome and is also involved in activating transcription factors Nfr1 and Nrf3. The aim of the thesis will be to investigate the function of DDI1 in DNA repair and transcription regulation on molecular level using genetic tools, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and structural analysis.

Leading references
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