# A Systems Approach to Mapping the DNA Damage Response

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $554,409

## Abstract

Failure of cells to respond to DNA damage is a key mechanism of toxicity by environmental agents and a primary
step in the onset of cancer. In this research program, we are using systematic approaches to map and model
the genetic networks underlying the DNA damage response (DDR). Since DDR pathways are widely conserved,
our studies bridge between Homo sapiens and the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae— impacting our
knowledge of how genotoxic agents lead to pathogenesis in humans, coupled to a classic model organism for
which new genetic technologies are readily developed and deployed.
 In the past five years of funding (NIH grant R01-ES14811), we made significant progress in identifying
changes in yeast genetic, transcriptional, and signaling networks in response to DNA damage stress. We also
developed innovative new technologies, including the experimental technique of ‘differential’ genetic interaction
mapping and a computational approach to translate interaction networks into hierarchical, data-driven gene
ontologies. In the next period of support, we will:
(1) Significantly expand the yeast genetic interaction maps to include dynamic growth curves and specific DDR
 pathway readouts at high-throughput;
(2) Develop and apply CRISPR technology to create parallel genetic network maps in human cell lines; and
(3) Integrate all new and prior data to build comprehensive ontologies of DDR subsystems in yeast and human,
 which we will compare to systematically identify areas of conservation and divergence and validate specific
 DDR phenotypic predictions in mechanistic assays.
This work moves us closer to a comprehensive structure/function model of the DDR. A growing set of DNA-
damage-induced genetic networks and ontologies in model species and humans are important resources for
understanding genetic polymorphisms that predispose an individual to environmental DNA damage and DDR-
related diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10225440
- **Project number:** 5R01ES014811-15
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Trey Ideker
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $554,409
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2005-09-26 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10225440

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10225440, A Systems Approach to Mapping the DNA Damage Response (5R01ES014811-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10225440. Licensed CC0.

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