Dr. Wolf Dietrich Heyer

Biography

Wolf-Dietrich Heyer is a Distinguished Professor and Chair in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Davis. His research focuses on double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs), genotoxic lesions caused by ionizing radiation and drugs, and the cellular processes involved in repairing these lesions. He has studied the homologous recombination pathway in yeasts and its critical role in DSB repair, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. His work employs genetic, molecular, and biochemical methods to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of homologous recombination and the regulation of DNA damage checkpoints. Key results have validated the roles of human proteins in human cells, establishing lasting paradigms in the field. Recombination has dual significance in cancer biology, functioning as a guardian of the genome and acting as a target for cancer therapy, particularly in treatments involving DNA-damaging agents. Heyer's research is thus pivotal in applying mechanistic insights from basic studies to translational studies concerning cancer predisposition and anti-cancer therapy.

Research Interests