Departmental Seminar: Dr. Scott Keeney

Event Date: 09.29.2014 Day: Monday Time: 12:00 pm Location: 601 Fairchild Event Type: Departmental

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Molecular Biology Program
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Title: "A dangerous game: controlling DNA breaks in meiosis"

Abstract:
Meiosis is the specialized cell division that reduces the genome complement by half to generate gametes for sexual reproduction. During meiosis, homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes exchange genetic information through the process of homologous recombination. Meiotic recombination initiates with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) made by the Spo11 protein. Meiotic recombination has a profound effect on heredity and genome evolution, but is also a potential source of mutation if Spo11-generated DSBs are improperly repaired. Cells therefore exert exquisite control over Spo11 activity to ensure that it only acts at the right time and place. Recent studies of the molecular mechanisms that control Spo11 will be discussed.