Cellular stress in the form of DNA damage rapidly induces DNA repair pathways - processes essential for maintaining the genomic integrity of a cell. DNA damage responses occur in the context of nuclear organization where chromatin architecture may be modulated at different levels, involving epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA transcription. How DNA damage elicits chromatin changes and their impact on the repair outcome have recently emerged as key questions in an area of burgeoning research.
The physiological importance of DNA repair pathways is exquisitely highlighted by their critical roles in normal development and combating tumorigenesis. Importantly, DNA repair processes may be subverted or co-opted by cancer cells to escape chemotherapies and radiotherapies. As such, a comprehensive understanding of the chromatin response to DNA damage could potentially uncover new druggable targets that may ultimately improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments.
Within this Research Topic, we aim to increase the understanding of DNA damage signaling with an emphasis on damage- and repair-related chromatin modifications as well as molecular mechanisms of DNA repair in the context of the underlying chromatin structure. Our objective is to cover recent advances in the field, including novel methodologies, techniques and trends.
We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews focusing on (but not limited to):
• Epigenetic changes induced after different types of DNA-damaging agents such as radiotherapy/various radiation exposure scenarios, chemotherapeutic agents, etc.
• DNA damage and repair occurring in altered chromatin states
• Novel techniques for the evaluation of chromatin architecture and epigenetic changes and their application in the field
Cellular stress in the form of DNA damage rapidly induces DNA repair pathways - processes essential for maintaining the genomic integrity of a cell. DNA damage responses occur in the context of nuclear organization where chromatin architecture may be modulated at different levels, involving epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNA transcription. How DNA damage elicits chromatin changes and their impact on the repair outcome have recently emerged as key questions in an area of burgeoning research.
The physiological importance of DNA repair pathways is exquisitely highlighted by their critical roles in normal development and combating tumorigenesis. Importantly, DNA repair processes may be subverted or co-opted by cancer cells to escape chemotherapies and radiotherapies. As such, a comprehensive understanding of the chromatin response to DNA damage could potentially uncover new druggable targets that may ultimately improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments.
Within this Research Topic, we aim to increase the understanding of DNA damage signaling with an emphasis on damage- and repair-related chromatin modifications as well as molecular mechanisms of DNA repair in the context of the underlying chromatin structure. Our objective is to cover recent advances in the field, including novel methodologies, techniques and trends.
We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews focusing on (but not limited to):
• Epigenetic changes induced after different types of DNA-damaging agents such as radiotherapy/various radiation exposure scenarios, chemotherapeutic agents, etc.
• DNA damage and repair occurring in altered chromatin states
• Novel techniques for the evaluation of chromatin architecture and epigenetic changes and their application in the field