# Mechanisms of Human DNA Double-Strand Break Repair via Quantitative Single-Molecule Imaging

> **NIH NIH R35** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $369,369

## Abstract

Project summary
The goal of this application is to address critical gaps in our understanding of the central DNA repair pathway in
humans by using new single molecule methods. In replicating mammalian cells chromosomal breaks are
repaired via two main pathways: the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway, which is active throughout
the cell cycle, and homologous recombination (HR) that is mainly active during replication. Mutations in HR
proteins are associated with genome instability and predisposition to cancer, whereas mutations in NHEJ
proteins result in genome instability, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and IR sensitivity, the latter
relevant to patient hypersensitivity to therapeutic IR. Consequently, NHEJ and HR factors are recognized as
promising targets for inhibition to improve the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, the interplay
between these pathways has implication for the development of resistance to therapy in the treatment of cancer.
 Although the mechanisms that control NHEJ and HR also have key roles in normal human development, our
current state of knowledge regarding the organization and crosstalk between these pathways and their
correlations with the DNA damage response (DDR) is minimal. We especially know very little about the physical
nature of the repair complexes and how they are assembled/disassembled and regulated at DNA break sites;
this is because common biochemical, structural and cell biology approaches are limited in their capacities to
provide this information.
 In this study we will use an array of innovative single-molecule techniques and assays to address this
knowledge gap and to define the molecular mechanisms of DSB repair via NHEJ and at single-ended breaks in
replicating cells. We use single-molecule biochemical methods to determine the role of NHEJ filament proteins,
and reexamine basic mechanisms that link DDR and NHEJ repair. We will use single-molecule localization
microscopy and live cell imaging to map the organization of HR/NHEJ repair intermediates in-vivo and determine
their positional dependence, and study their regulation and the role of DDR factors in pathway choice. We will
define the nanoscale architecture of DSB complexes in cells and determine their association with cellular DNA
damage response (DDR) factors and characterize how these are modulated in different types of DSBs.
Combined, the proposed study will address critical unanswered questions with have enormous potential for
advancing the field of DNA damage research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851708
- **Project number:** 1R35GM134947-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Eli Rothenberg
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $369,369
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851708

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851708, Mechanisms of Human DNA Double-Strand Break Repair via Quantitative Single-Molecule Imaging (1R35GM134947-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851708. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*