Current Research

Roles for RadD and RecG in DNA gap repair

Cell division and propagation requires a complete and accurate duplication of an organism’s genome. In Escherichia coli, multiple times per DNA replication cycle, lesions in the template strand are skipped over during replication, leaving single-stranded gaps opposite the lesion. The single-stranded gaps must be filled in before the lesion in the gap can be excised and repaired to maintain the integrity of the genome. I study the RadD and RecG proteins using genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches to better understand their involvement in DNA gap repair.