The CEMO Division is pleased to invite you to the conference given by Dr. Jihane BASBOUS (Institut de Génétique Humaine, IGH, CNRS, Université de Montpellier), entitled:

“Biomolecular Condensates in DNA Repair: Why Composition Matters”

"Our research explores the molecular mechanisms that govern protein compartmentalization during the DNA damage response (DDR) and repair. This compartmentalization, particularly through the assembly of repair scaffold proteins, orchestrates the spatiotemporal organization of DNA repair and checkpoint signaling pathways essential for preserving genome integrity. We have identified TopBP1 as a key DNA repair scaffold protein that forms globular nanocondensate clusters upon DNA damage. These condensates act as nucleation platforms for the initiation and amplification of ATR signaling, a central pathway mediating replication stress tolerance in cancer cells.

By combining an optogenetic system with a biotin-based proximity labeling approach, we investigate how DNA repair foci behave as biomolecular condensates, coordinating molecular repair events with broader cellular responses through dynamic interactions with specific cellular components. These insights provide a mechanistic rationale for targeting TopBP1 condensation to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy-based cancer treatments".