DNA Replication Defects in Cancer and Stem Cells

The mechanism(s) facilitating mutagenesis and causing genomic instability in human cells are not clearly understood. Accurate, error-free duplication of the human genome is crucial to prevent mutations, which could lead to carcinogenesis. To study the early steps triggering mutagenesis we are using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) derived from embryos with germline mutation known to induce cancer, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.