Presented by Jacob Sargent, Ben Morris, and Thomas Graham

DNA serves as the blueprint for all living organisms on earth, but unlike most blueprints, DNA is constantly being damaged and repaired. Factors such as UV light from the sun and chemicals in cigarette smoke damage our DNA daily. Luckily, our cells contain intricate molecular machines that repair DNA damage. These DNA repair machines occasionally make mistakes, leading to permanent changes in the DNA, or mutations—the ultimate cause of cancer. This seminar will use examples of hereditary forms of cancer to show that while DNA is a source of cellular information, it is also a large chemical structure that is continually being modified and repaired. When that process is defective, mutations and cancer arise. We will end by introducing how scientists can use new discoveries about DNA damage and repair to develop more effective cancer treatments.