Technology
Our DNA is constantly challenged by all kinds of DNA damaging agents. According to the free radical theory, accumulation of damage to nucleic acids, proteins or lipids induced by free radicals and the cellular consequences thereof, is the underlying cause of ageing. To cope with this damage load, all organisms, from bacteria to man, are equipped with highly effective DNA repair systems. The critical importance of DNA repair is shown by the fact that defects in this process are linked with a wide variety of human disease states a.o. cancer, immune deficiencies and many features of (premature) ageing, including neurodegenerative diseases, arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis, which together comprise the dominant medical problems in the developed world. Prof. Hoeijmakers and his team have played a pivotal role in unraveling various mechanisms of DNA protection and repair systems and have made major discoveries in understanding the impact of these processes on cancer and ageing. In normal cells, ‘DNA damage sensors’ detect and bind DNA lesions, and subsequently trigger a complex signalling cascade that leads to a variety of responses, including the activation of DNA repair processes that correct the damaged DNA.
There are several complementary DNA repair mechanisms, such as:
-
nucleotide excision repair (NER),
-
base excision repair (BER),
-
mismatch repair and
-
recombination repair.
Within DNage we specifically focus on the NER DNA repair system, which is a multi-step process that involves a large number of different proteins/enzymes, dependent on the type and location of the lesion
As our company aims to prevent ageing-related disease, we focus on the link between DNA damage and ageing.