Steve A. Alas

DNA Damage and Tumorigenesis

My laboratory studies the DNA damage response and DNA repair mechanisms in various human tumor cell models. Genetic mutations within cells can cause them to lose control over their growth, function and response to physiological signals. These cells may progressively become increasingly unstable and develop into malignant cells. As these cancerous cells continue to divide and form a mass comprised of tumor cells, they continue to accumulate additional mutations and genetic alterations throughout their DNA. Through the process of natural selection, within the tumor cell population, these genetic mutations can lead to chemotherapy-resistant cells and a tumor cell population characteristic of aggressive growth. These genetic alterations occur when DNA surveillance and repair mechanisms fail.

Our work also focuses on the DNA repair pathways in stem cells and germ cells. The inability of these cells to repair DNA damage can result in germline mutations that get passed on to future generations.