Our B cells use proteins called RAGs, which cut and paste pieces of DNA, to create an astounding diversity of antibodies. Sometimes RAGs make cuts in the wrong places though, which can leads to improper gene expression and can contribute to the development of leukemia and lymphoma. Dr. Lovely is determining what causes RAG proteins to make mistakes, by observing their activity in live B cells. He is measuring times that RAGs spend in the right place, and in the wrong place to better understand how these mistakes are made. With this improved understanding of the mechanisms controlling RAG activity, it will be possible to develop strategies that minimize RAG’s unintended activities.
Projects and Grants
Watching RAG recombinase assembly on the IgH locus and off-target assembly in live pro-B cells
National Institute on Aging | Childhood Cancer, Leukemia, Lymphoma | 2016 | Ranjan Sen, Ph.D.
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