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As part of an active scientific community that studies the DNA damage response (DDR) and its impact on cancer and aging, research in the lab of Matthias Altmeyer is aimed at elucidating cellular mechanisms of genome integrity maintenance and their deregulation in human disease. Here you can explore who we are and what we do. Welcome!

Dynamic self-interaction in RPA condensates

Review on DNA Repair and Mechanobiology

Out in Chromosoma. Topics include cell cycle regulation & DNA replication, replication stress & chromosome fragility, telomere maintenance & ALT, emerging links between repair condensates and the nuclear cytoskeleton.

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Dynamic self-interaction in RPA condensates

Dynamic self-interaction in RPA condensates

In a recent publication we found that the essential replication protein A (RPA) self-interacts and forms dynamic non-stoichiometric condensates with ssDNA, regulated by phosphorylation of an IDR.

Publications

Postdoctoral Candidates and MSc/PhD Students

Postdoctoral Candidates and MSc/PhD Students

Motivated applications from postdoc candidates with a strong interest in genome stability and willing to apply for fellowships are always encouraged. PhD students are recruited through the Life Science Zurich Graduate School.

Current Openings

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Vincent’s paper is out in NSMB

April 2023

Phase separation properties of RPA combine high-affinity ssDNA binding with dynamic condensate functions at telomeres

RPA binds ssDNA with sub-nanomolar affinity. Vincent found that, despite their ultra-high affinity for one another, RPA and ssDNA form dynamic non-stoichiometric condensates, which are regulated by phosphorylation and help to coordinate telomere recombination in cancer cells. Published in NSMB

Further reading:

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology volume 30, pages 451–462 (2023)

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2023 May;24(5):310


Aleksandra’s paper is out in Nature Communications

June 2021

RPA shields inherited DNA lesions for post-mitotic DNA synthesis

Fragile genomic regions undergo mitotic DNA synthesis (MiDAS). Aleksandra found evidence for post-mitotic DNA synthesis (post-MiDAS). Post-MiDAS occurs at telomeres, particularly in ALT-positive cancer cells, and is amplified by replication stress. Published in Nature Communications.

Further reading:

Lezaja et al., Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 22;12(1):3827.


Magda’s and Stefania’s collaborative paper is out

November 2020

CHD7 and 53BP1 regulate distinct pathways for the re-ligation of DNA double-strand breaks

From a close collaboration with the lab of Haico van Attikum, and with great help from the labs of Sébastien Huet, Alfred Vertegaal, Jessica Downs and Martijn Luijsterburg, the chromatin remodeler CHD7 emerged as an early responder to DNA damage to regulate chromatin dynamics around DNA break sites and initiate repair. Finally out in Nature Communications.

Further reading:

Rother, Pellegrino et al., Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 13;11(1):5775.


Marco’s paper on TRIP12-regulated PARP inhibitor efficiency is out

August 2020

The ubiquitin ligase TRIP12 limits PARP1 trapping and constrains PARP inhibitor efficiency

We found that the ubiquitin E3 ligase TRIP12, through its PAR-binding WWE domain, targets PARP1 for proteasomal degradation, affecting PARP functions and PARP inhibitor efficiency. Congratulations to Marco and big thanks to our collaborators Qingyao Huang and Michael Baudis for their help. Published in Cell Reports.

Further reading:

Gatti et al., Cell Rep. 2020 Aug 4;32(5):107985.


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