Genome Integrity Maintenance within Repetitive Sequences

Tandem repetitive sequences, such as telomere, centromere, rDNA, short tandem repeats like (CGG)n or (TA)n, etc., can form a unique chromatin environment with complex secondary structures. The genome instability within tandem repetitive sequences leads to multiple diseases, including cancers, neuropathological diseases, and ageing-related syndromes. The highly repetitive nature of these genome regions makes it difficult to analyze. Tandem repetitive sequences thus have long been recognized as the dark side of the human genome. Tandem repetitive sequences are characterized as difficult-to-replicate regions and DNA damage hotspots. The genetic and epigenetic regulation of DNA damage responses within tandem repetitive sequences is a fascinating yet largely enigmatic subject. We are dedicated to unraveling how DNA replication and repair through the complex secondary structures in the tandem repetitive sequences and shedding light on their associated etiology and therapeutic vulnerabilities.