Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Lab(BioCheMP)seeks to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying DNA metabolism such as DNA replication, transcription, recombination, DNA repair, and chromatin dynamics using a novel single-molecule imaging technique, 'DNA curtain' as well as biophysicochemical methods.
Since DNA contains genetic information, DNA metabolism is the most essential reaction for sustaining life in all kingdoms of life. The key research topic of my laboratory is DNA damage repair. DNA damage induces modification, loss, or distortion of genetic information, which causes malignant human diseases including cancer. Therefore, studying DNA repair is important for understanding many diseases . We are focusing on nucleotide excision repair (NER) and homologous recombination. In addition, we are interested in chromatin dynamics. Human DNA stays as a compact structure called chromatin inside a nucleus. The basic unit of chromatin is a nucleosome, in which DNA is wrapped around histones. The chromatin has a significant influence on DNA metabolism and is dynamically altered by endogenous and environmental factors. We examine the roles and functions of histone chaperones and chromatin remodelers, which contribute to altering chromatin structures. Furthermore, we are investigating how DNA metabolic reactions occur in the chromatin context.