Professor
jknanda@umich.edu
Office Information:
5064 Biological Sciences Building
phone: 734-647-9152
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
About
Telomeres (protein-DNA complex) and telomerase (protein-RNA enzymatic complex) are specialized protein-nucleic acid complexes found at the ends of chromosomes. They play vital roles in ensuring genome stability and stem cell viability, respectively. Additionally, illicit activation of telomerase is a hallmark of a overwhelming majority of cancers, qualifying this enzyme as a prime target for anti-cancer drug development. We use biochemical, cell biological and X-ray crystallographic tools to understand how these complexes are assembled in cells and how they perform their critical biological functions at chromosome ends.
Field(s) of Study
- Telomerase, telomeres, cancer, ageing
Areas of Focus
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
- Crystallography
- Cell Biology
