Contact information
Professor KJ Patel
FRS FMedSci
MRC WIMM Director, MRC MHU Director
We study endogenous DNA damage and its impact on the function of vertebrate stem cells and the ageing process. Our recent work has shown that metabolism releases reactive aldehydes that are a potent source of such endogenous DNA damage. Mammals are protected against these genotoxic metabolites by first eliminating them through oxidising enzymes, and secondly by repairing the DNA damage they cause.
Our current research aims to define the origins and identity of genotoxic metabolites, how cells remove them, the nature of the DNA damage they cause and how this damage is repaired. We are also want to understand how certain stem cells and organ systems are damaged by these sources of endogenous DNA damage, and the consequences of this to an organism.