The mammalian genomes are comprised of nuclear DNA and hundreds to thousands of copies of mitochondrial DNA. In one’s lifetime, DNA lesions in the genome are constantly generated due to endogenous and exogenous exposure to genotoxic chemicals from all sources. Removal of these DNA damages with correct and sufficient nucleotide incorporation is essential for maintaining nuclear and mitochondrial genome stability, which has a consequent impact on health and disease. We are interested in how nucleotide regulation is coupled with DNA damage responses to dictate genome integrity, mitochondrial quality control, and mito-nuclear communication in normal and cancer cells. Our long-termed goal is to develop novel therapeutic and prevention strategies against diseases by manipulating DNA metabolism separately in nuclei and mitochondria through targeting nucleotide enzymes and their regulatory pathways.
