Upon DNA double-strand breakage, the cell can utilize either homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).  Synthesizing DNA utilzing a template during HR will require polymerase activity.  End-joining may also require polymerase activity, depending on the extent of processing needed at the damaged ends.  We are currently testing whether candidate error-prone polymerases previously identified in mammalian cell culture or in vitro are required during double-strand break repair in Drosophila.

I am working with undergraduates Bena Chan and Michael Shusterman as part of the polymerase team to identify roles of error-prone polymerases in HR and NHEJ by analyzing repair events following induced breaks after transposon excision or endonuclease cutting.  With the discovery of multiple error-prone polymerases within the last decade, we are also trying to determine the means and mechanism behind any polymerase redundancy in various repair pathways

Kelly Beagan: Multiple roles for DNA polymerase theta

Currently, Kelly is conducting molecular genetic studies to determine how the various domains of DNA polymerase theta operate during the repair of interstrand crosslinks and double-strand breaks.