Topic
Our genetic information is primarily stored in the canonical B-form of DNA. However, in certain regions of the genome, DNA can adopt alternative, non-canonical structures that add a second layer of regulatory information. Among these, single-stranded guanine-rich sequences can fold into highly compact and stable four-stranded structures known as G-quadruplexes (G4s).
Despite their evolutionary conservation and growing evidence of their presence in cells, including their relevance in cancer and cancer therapy, our understanding of when, where, and how G4 structures form, and their precise regulatory roles, remains limited. Our research aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying G4 formation and resolution, and to define their functions in both healthy and diseased cells.
We also investigate enzymes and small molecules that selectively bind to or modulate these structures. In the long term, our goal is to use this knowledge to develop targeted anticancer therapies based on G4 structures.
In this talk, I will present our journey, from foundational discoveries in yeast to recent results showing tumor regression in zebrafish transgenic models, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting G4 DNA.
About Professor Nasim Sabouri
Nasim Sabouri’s research goal is to understand the biological impact of quadruplex DNA structures in health, disease, and therapy, aiming to reach her long-term vision of drug discovery; the development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies by targeting four-stranded DNA structures.
Nasim is a Wallenberg Academy fellow and SciLifeLab group leader. Nasim earned her doctoral degree in Medical Biochemistry in 2008 for her work on the eukaryotic DNA replication fork at Umeå University in Sweden. She pursued her postdoctoral studies at Princeton University in USA and focused on understanding genome integrity from a genome-wide perspective. Since 2013, she has led a diverse team of undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral fellows, establishing a range of biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological methods for quadruplex characterization. She enjoys being part of interdisciplinary research projects, and happily collaborates with national and international research groups.
Read more about Professor Nasim Sabouri's research