Major: Neuroscience
Research Department: Cancer Biology Graduation Date: May 2017 Abstract: KAT8 is the major enzyme that acetylates H4K16, which has been implemented as an important contributor of DNA repair. In order to further elucidate the mechanisms of KAT8 in DNA repair, we knocked down KAT8 to observe its effects. Loss of KAT8 showed reduced DNA repair and less non-homologous end joining gene fusion. Furthermore, KAT8 knockdown correlated with delayed recruitment of DNA repair proteins, and when paired with IR-induced DNA damage, decreased cell viability. |
What does research mean to you? Research has been a monumental aspect of my undergrad career. I value research as the means to advancing our scientific knowledge and to improving our society's health and environment in order to make this world better for our future. Working in the Pain Neurobiology Research Group at UT Dallas and Mani Lab at UT Southwestern taught me the importance of integrity in the research process. I learned that to ensure that our scientific community flourishes, we need to make sure that we create an environment that endorses honesty and trust amongst the members and their research findings. |