“Homologous Recombination – From Repair of DSBs to Processing Stalled Replication Forks and Human Diseases”

Our lab focuses on the mechanisms ensuring accurate DNA replication and the role of homologous recombination (HR) in preventing genome instability. We investigate how endogenous hard-to-replicate regions, G-quadruplexes (G4) and R-loops, impact replication and contribute to disease development. A key aspect involves studying the formation and regulation of RAD51 filaments during HR. We explore how positive regulators like BRCA2 and RAD51 paralogs promote filament assembly and its stability, while negative regulators like RECQ5 and RECQ4 helicase help balance replication stress and genome stability.