Dr. Barbara Svejstrup

Biography

Barbara Dirac Svejstrup is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in the mechanisms of transcription and its relationship with DNA-related processes, including DNA repair and replication. Her research focuses on the interface between transcription and DNA dynamics, particularly investigating how transcription impacts genome stability and integrity. Central to her work is the transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) process, which enables the repair of DNA lesions that obstruct RNA polymerase II progression. Svejstrup's laboratory employs a diverse array of biochemical, genetic, and cell biological techniques to unravel the complexities of transcription elongation and its implications for cellular health. She aims to understand how transcription-related mechanisms can impact genomic stability, especially in the context of cancer, where altered gene expression leads to instability. Her lab has also explored the role of factors like the Cockayne syndrome B (CSB) protein in recruiting repair components to damaged DNA during transcription. Over the past decade, her work has significantly contributed to elucidating how cells maintain genomic integrity amidst the challenges posed by transcriptional activity, highlighting both the protective mechanisms in place and the risks involved in transcription.

Research Interests