Jennifer M Mason, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics & Biochemistry
Clemson University
She / Her / Hers
During replication, DNA is damaged by both endogenous and exogenous sources threatening genomic integrity. Failure to repair DNA damage increases mutagenesis and can result in human disease including cancer. In response to ultraviolet (UV) light and hydroxyurea, the DNA repair protein, FBH1, promotes DNA double strand breaks at stalled replication forks to mediate apoptosis in cells with excessive DNA damage. FBH1 protects melanocytes from UV-mediated transformation of melanocytes and FBH1 loss was identified in a large percentage of melanoma. In this seminar, Dr. Mason will discuss recent work from her lab elucidating the mechanism by which FBH1 promotes sensitivity to replication stress and how the underlying replication defect may be exploited to specifically kill FBH1-deficient cells.
About the Speaker: Dr. Mason is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from University of Michigan followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at University of Chicago. Her lab studies mechanisms of DNA repair at stalled replication forks and how defects in the replication stress response leads to human disease including cancer. Currently, her work is funded by grants from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the American Cancer Society.
Thursday, March 2, 2023, 12:00-1:15 pm Eastern
Field Auditorium Room 1112, Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Dr, Durham, NC)
Masks are optional for in-person attendees. Please stay home if you aren’t feeling well and join us via livestream instead (see below).