The Bernstein Lab
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Studying how mechanisms of cancer development and misregulation of DNA repair genes contribute to genetic instability and tumorigenesis.
Our Research
Repair of DNA damage is crucial to prevent accumulation of mutations that can cause human disease, such as cancer. Our lab studies how double-strand breaks in the DNA, one of the most lethal types of DNA lesions, are repaired. By understanding the mechanism of double-strand break repair and the role of DNA repair proteins in this process, we will uncover mechanisms of tumorigenesis and cancer progression. We will then use this knowledge to aid in diagnosis/prognosis of different types of cancers and to find novel therapeutic targets.
Recent News
Kara gives the Marc J. Mass Memorial Lecture at UNC Chapel Hill and has a mini-lab reunion with Chelsea Smith, Cynthia Thomas (both former undergraduate researchers), and McKenzie Grundy (former technician) who are all getting PhDs at UNC. April 2024
We are excited to receive the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Research Award for our work on triple negative breast cancers. April 2024
Research Projects
Reclassification of RAD51 paralog variants of unknown significance in breast and ovarian cancers
Investigating the connections between DNA repair gene mutations and environmental toxicants
Targeting alternative DNA repair pathways in homologous recombination deficient cancer cells
