Research Interest
The Zhang lab uses biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanism of DNA replication, DNA repair, and DNA damage response. In addition, the Zhang lab is also interested in identifying novel molecular targets in the DNA repair and DNA damage response pathways for cancer therapy. Most recently, the Zhang lab uncovered novel functions of FANCM in suppressing the DNA replication stress response at telomeres adopted the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway and also discovered new synthetic lethal interactions between FANCM and BLM, as well as FANCM and BRCA1 in ALT cancers. Currently, the Zhang lab is exploring opportunities to translate these breakthrough discoveries into novel treatment for ALT cancers, which include the most deadly cancers, such as brain cancers and pancreatic cancers.
The Zhang lab uses biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanism of DNA replication, DNA repair, and DNA damage response. In addition, the Zhang lab is also interested in identifying novel molecular targets in the DNA repair and DNA damage response pathways for cancer therapy. Most recently, the Zhang lab uncovered novel functions of FANCM in suppressing the DNA replication stress response at telomeres adopted the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway and also discovered new synthetic lethal interactions between FANCM and BLM, as well as FANCM and BRCA1 in ALT cancers. Currently, the Zhang lab is exploring opportunities to translate these breakthrough discoveries into novel treatment for ALT cancers, which include the most deadly cancers, such as brain cancers and pancreatic cancers.