Sobeck Lab
WELCOME TO THE SOBECK LAB
We are interested in signaling pathways that contribute to the maintenance of genomic stability in our cells and thus prevent cancer susceptibility in humans. We are studying DNA damage response pathways that are activated during the S-phase of the cell cycle, when chromosomes replicate.
Our research centers on the Fanconi Anemia (FA) and Breast Cancer associated (BRCA1, BRCA2) repair pathways that are suspected to have crucial functions in DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint activation during S-phase. Humans born with mutations in FA genes have a highly elevated risk to develop certain types of cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and various types of solid tumors. Acquired mutations and silencing of FA genes have been found in different cancers in the general population and the FA genes are thus considered "caretakers" of our genome. Our goal is to understand the molecular functions of the FA/BRCA proteins (currently 19 FA/BRCA genes are known) and to elucidate how these proteins communicate with other members of the DNA damage response network to control and suppress genomic instability.
Our lab uses a combination of human cell-based assays and extracts prepared from eggs of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. These extracts are naturally cell-cycle synchronized and able to replicate and repair DNA in a test tube, providing us with a cell-free system that can be manipulated in many ways and that allows us to ask specific questions about functions of individual FA/BRCA proteins during the DNA damage response.
POSTDOCS WANTED!
We currently have 1-2 postdoc positions open. Please submit your CV and a cover letter providing an overview of your research interests and future career goals as well as the names of three references. Email: asobeck@umn.edu. Deadline: May 10, 2016.
May 2013 (left to right): Maya Raghunandan, Dan Stroik, Alex Sobeck, Jung-Eun Yeo, Indrajit Chaudhury, Sarah Riman, Niki Sathish Kumar
CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS
this part is currently being updated (April 2016), please check back soon ..
Lab News
!! Mark your calendars for the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund Symposium from September 15-18, 2016 in Seattle, Washington
