Professor Stuart Linn

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Dr. Linn's laboratory studies enzymes and DNA binding proteins involved in DNA damage responses; DNA repair and replication in mammalian cells; mechanisms of DNA damage by reactive oxygen species; and iron-mediated free radical damages to DNA and the structure of iron: DNA complexes.

Dr. Linn's current projects include:

DNA damage and repair

This research focuses on proteins from human cells that recognize particular types of DNA damage, then either directly or indirectly mediate the cell's responses. Current interest centers on oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide and other active oxygen species and the regulation of these proteins after exposure to DNA damaging agents. By studying the mechanisms, specificity, and regulation of these proteins, it is hoped to piece together pathways of responses to DNA damage. These studies have led to investigate how metals interact with DNA, in particular the sequence preferences for their binding. In this manner how Fe might take part in gene regulation and telomere shortening may be clarified.

DNA polymerases

Dr. Linn's laboratory investigates the properties of DNA polymerase activities of human cells, particularly changes that occur with these enzymes in various cell states and with various accessory factors. Also studied are the roles of individual human DNA polymerases in faithful and bypass DNA replicative and repair synthesis.