maizels

We study how DNA mutates and how mutations are repaired.  Much of our work focuses on B cells, which must rapidly diversify immunoglobulin gene sequence and structure to respond dynamically to infection, and thus provide insights into mechanisms of DNA mutagenesis and repair in all cell types.  We are especially interested in applying what we have learned to developing new tools that are useful in therapy.  Current projects with clear application to human health focus gene therapy, chemotherapy of cancer, and rapid development of monoclonal antibodies ex vivo.  We employ a variety of approaches, from biochemistry to somatic cell genetics to single-cell imaging — whatever is necessary to answer a particular question.