Nanoscopic Analysis of DNA Double Strand Break Repair Foci

The genomic DNA packed into chromatin has to be protected from the accumulation of damage. Consequently, a broad range of DNA repair mechanisms have been evolved to repair specific types of DNA damage. The repair of a DNA lesion requires the localization of a multitude of proteins at the site of damage, to detect the lesion, remodel the DNA and eventually repair the DNA damage. For fundamental understanding of the functioning and malfunctioning of DNA Repair proteins it is important to know the precise localization of these proteins and their relative organization in the cell. During DNA Double Strand Break Repair proteins accumulate at the sites of damage, in so-called repair foci, which are visible under the microscope. Using super resolution fluorescence microscopy, it is possible to study the organization of proteins in these foci at near-molecular resolution, making it possible to get insight in the molecular distribution within the cell.