Recipients
Yuliang Wu
DNA is the biological macromolecule that contains the genetic instructions in all living organisms. It is prone to spontaneous instability as a result of normal metabolic activities and is under constant attack from environmental factors such as X rays, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and many chemical agents. Incidents of breast cancer and Fanconi anemia sometimes occur when the cells are unable to repair the damaged DNA. Dr. Yuliang Wu is studying a particular protein that may be contributing to the DNA’s instability.
The protein in question, the Fanconi anemia group J protein, typically contributes to the repair of the DNA. In cases where breast cancer or Fanconi anemia have been diagnosed, Dr. Wu has identified changes, or mutations, in the protein. He and his team of researchers are conducting further research into the changes to determine the potential structural defects.
Using biochemical and cellular approaches, Dr. Wu aims to understand how particular protein changes can lead to breast cancer and Fanconi anemia. This work constitutes an important step toward understanding the development of these diseases and will potentially lead to a therapeutic strategy for targeting the mutated protein.
