Gerry Crossan

The repair of damaged DNA is essential in all cells to ensure that the fidelity of the genome is maintained and to prevent mutations accumulating. This is of particular importance in germ cells, as these cells are tasking with passing genetic information between generations.

Our research focuses on how germ cells maintain genomic stability. These cells ultimately give rise to either sperm or eggs. When these gametes come together they produce a new organism with new germ cells, therefore allowing endless propagation of a species. The maintenance of the genetic integrity in the germline is of critical importance to ensure the faithful transmission of the genome from one generation to the next. Failure to accurately maintain genome stability in germ cells has catastrophic consequences for the offspring and to the survival of the species. Despite their importance and unique lifecycle little is known about germ cells repair genome damage.

We use a combination of mouse genetics and state of the art molecular biology tools to investigate the mechanisms that prevent mutagenesis in the germline.