A War-Zone within our cells - Repairing damaged DNA, with Prof Penny Jeggo

A War-Zone within our cells: The wounds our DNA constantly endures, the carers promoting healing, and the consequence of persistent injury.
An online event with Prof Penny Jeggo. Wednesday 27th April at 7:30pm.

DNA, the code-carrying molecule in our cells, incurs relentless damage during metabolic processes and from environmental agents. Unrepaired (or mis-repaired) DNA damage can confer cell death, premature ageing and cancer. Hence, cells invest substantial resources into mechanisms that repair DNA damage. Rarely, individuals are born with mutations in these mechanisms, causing genetic instability disorders, with characteristics determined by the specific class of DNA damage that is inefficiently repaired. Premature ageing, cancer predisposition, neurodegeneration and immunodeficiency are common features. The nature and challenge of these rare diseases will be highlighted by Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), a devastating genetic instability disorder caused by a failure to respond to breaks in both DNA strands.

Penny Jeggo is now an Emeritus Professor at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, where she was a senior scientist and leader of a group working on DNA double strand break repair and its health consequences. Her work also relates to DNA damage caused by ionising radiation and radiation protection. She has supported the Ataxia telangiectasia Society as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and as a Board Member.