Research Interests
Much of biochemistry and biophysics of DNA is based on the electronic properties of nucleotides and its components, which in the simplest sense, are reflected in ionization energies. Ionizing radiation is a pre-translational effect and its results are established to cause significant genetic damage that can induce mutations. An accumulation of such mutations can lead to cancer.
Methylation is a post-translational effect and it can either activate or suppress carcinogenesis. The mechanisms of methylation and demethylation in carcinogenesis remain undetermined and there are questions as to whether the methylation changes are a cause or consequence of cellular transformation and clonal expansion.
We investigate the mechanisms of UV radiation-induced DNA damage (photoionization) and the methylation of DNA and its components by carcinogenic electrophilic (alkylating) agents.