Cell functioning relies on the coordinated action of all its components. Certain enzymes, PARPs, modify themselves as well as other proteins to e.g. initiate gene expression, DNA repair, defense against viral infections and cell reorganization. The activity of PARPs is on itself tightly regulated so that their activation occurs only when it is needed since their misregulation often leads to diseases. We will study the molecular mechanism that keep PARPs in an inactive form and the structural rearrangements that lead to their activation using structural and biophysical methods. We will also study how PARPs identify their targets in the cell. These experiments will provide a fundamental understanding of the activation mechanism of PARPs and open the possibility to develop new and specific drugs for cancer treatment.

2023

2028