Genome Dynamics Research Group
Research topics
In our research, we use advanced techniques in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and cellular and tissue modeling to explore the mechanisms of the DNA damage response (DDR) in mammalian cells. We apply tools such as CRISPR/Base Editing, viral vectors (AAV, lentiviruses), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–based models, laser-induced micro-irradiation of live cells, and organoids.
These technologies allow us to precisely modify the genome, study gene function, and analyze DNA repair processes in both physiological and pathological contexts.
Our goal is to identify new proteins involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and to understand their role in the development of diseases, including cancer and rare disorders.
CRISPR and genome editing
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a precise genome-editing tool that uses the Cas9 nuclease to cut DNA at a selected site, enabling the deletion, insertion, or replacement of genetic material.
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV)
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are widely used viral vectors in gene therapy and biomedical research. They are considered relatively safe because they do not elicit strong immune responses and rarely integrate into the host genome, reducing the risk of mutagenesis. AAVs are used to deliver genetic material into cells in vivo, especially within tissues that are difficult to transfect using other methods, such as the brain or muscles.
Lentiviral vectors
Lentiviruses are retroviruses capable of permanently integrating their genetic material into the host genome. This makes them valuable tools for stable gene expression in both dividing and non-dividing cells.
iPSC-based models
Models based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allow the generation of many human cell types from adult somatic cells. Researchers can derive human neurons, astrocytes, or cardiomyocytes, enabling the study of diseases in the context of patient-specific cells.
iPSCs are a powerful tool for disease modeling, drug testing, and the development of targeted therapies, especially for genetic and neurological disorders.
Laser-induced micro-irradiation of live cells
Laser micro-irradiation of living cells enables the introduction of precisely controlled DNA damage (e.g., double-strand breaks) at specific nuclear locations. This allows real-time analysis of the cellular response to DNA damage, including repair-protein recruitment and chromatin reorganization. The technique is widely used in studies of DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms.
Organoids
Organoids are three-dimensional cell structures derived from stem cells that mimic the architecture and key functional features of tissues or organs. They can originate from iPSCs or progenitor cells and are used to study development, disease mechanisms, and drug responses in conditions that more closely resemble physiological environments than traditional 2D cultures. Organoids play an important role in research on cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and personalized medicine.