The enyzme telomerase, a reverse transcriptase, functions to extend the repetitive sequence unit, facilitating complete terminal replication and a solution for this challenge. Regulation of the ability of telomerase to maintain telomeres is one way to affect the lifespan of cells. My laboratory is interested in understanding the fundamental cellular processes responsible for maintaining telomeres, using the yeast S. cerevisiae as a model system. Current projects employ genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches for functional analysis of proteins involved in telomere replication. Publications Nugent, C.I., Bosco, G., Ross, L., Evans, S.K., Salinger, A.P., Moore, J.K., Haber, J.E., and V. Lundblad.
Telomere maintenance is dependent on activities required for end repair of double strand breaks.
Nugent, C.I., Hughes, T.R., Lue, N.F. and V. Lundblad. Genes Dev . Telomerase, Ku, and telomeric silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The role of the EST genes in yeast telomere replication.