Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2005

Mentor: Benjamin P.C. Chen, Ph.D.
Department: Radiation Oncology
Room number: NC7.302
Mail Code: 9187
Phone number: 8-1263
E-mail: benjamin.chen@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Functional analysis of DNA-PKcs and its interacting partners.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)

Basic Research

Brief Description of Project:

This project involves in studying the role of DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in the repair of DNA double strand breaks. DNA-PK, composed of Ku70/80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is the key component of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, the predominate DNA double-strand breaks repair mechanism in mammalian cells. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) generated by ionizing radiation (IR), byproducts of oxidative metabolism, and chemotherapeutic drugs are the most deleterious form of DNA damage. Unattended DSBs would cause apoptosis, genomic instability, and lead to cancer formation. The catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs is a member of the phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) like kinase family that includes ATM and ATR. Although the biochemical properties of DNA-PKcs have been extensively studied in vitro, it is still not clear how it functions in vivo in the context of NHEJ. To further unveil the molecular mechanism(s) of NHEJ pathway, we have identified many DNA-PKcs interacting proteins via co-immunoprecipitation in conjunction with mass spectrum analysis as well as via the yeast two-hybrid screening approach. The proposed study is to confirm the interaction between DNA-PKcs and the potential interacting proteins (one or two of them) both in vitro and in vivo.

The techniques involved in this project may include subcloning of DNA fragments, recombinant protein expression in E. coli and purification, cell culture, western blotting, fluorescent immunostaining, and the usage of fluorescent microscope.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

I have not interacted with medical students previously since this is my first year at UTSW. I am very willing to be involved in mentoring students since teaching is a vital part of the research profession. As I have accumulated my expertise throughout my career and in different research fields, I would like to pass my research experience to the next generation of young scientists or medical profession. My goal is to teach the students not only the experimental designs or problem solving but also the right attitude toward research and communication skills.

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