DNA Replication Stress

Our research focuses on understanding how transcription–replication conflicts contribute to DNA replication stress and genome instability. These processes are fundamental drivers of cellular dysfunction and are strongly implicated in cancer development and treatment responses. We are particularly interested in how cells detect, resolve, or exploit these conflicts, and how these pathways can be targeted for therapeutic benefit. To address these questions, we combine high-resolution sequencing approaches with high-content imaging to map genome dynamics with exceptional precision. By integrating these technologies, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms that safeguard genome integrity and identify vulnerabilities that can be leveraged in cancer therapy.

  • Petropoulos M, Karamichali A, Rossetti GG, Freudenmann A, Iacovino LG, Dionellis VS, Sotiriou SK, Halazonetis TD. Transcription-replication conflicts underlie sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Nature. 2024 Apr;628(8007):433-441. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07217-2
  • Groelly FJ, Dagg RA, Petropoulos M, Rossetti GG, Prasad B, Panagopoulos A, Paulsen T, Karamichali A, Jones SE, Ochs F, Dionellis VS, Puig Lombardi E, Miossec MJ, Lockstone H, Legube G, Blackford AN, Altmeyer M, Halazonetis TD, Tarsounas M. Mitotic DNA synthesis is caused by transcription-replication conflicts in BRCA2-deficient cells. Mol Cell. 2022 Sep 15;82(18):3382-3397.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.07.011.
  • Petropoulos M, Halazonetis TD. Delayed DNA break repair for genome stability. Nat Cell Biol. 2021 Oct;23(10):1055-1057. doi: 10.1038/s41556-021-00769-9.

Outstanding students interested in Master’s or PhD positions are encouraged to contact directly Michail Petropoulos at michail.petropoulos@unibe.ch