99957ebf_us_Bulletin___October_16__2013__Research_Summary
[PI / Co-PIs] Weihang Chai [Department(s)] WWAMI Spokane Investigation into Mechanisms of CDK1 in Controlling Telomere Stability National Institutes of Health/ National Institute on Aging Â [Research Summary] 
This is additional funding for a research project aimed at advancing the understanding of the mechanism for maintaining telomere integrity and genome stability. Telomeres protect the integrity of chromosome ends and play a key role in the aging of cells and organisms. The protective function of telomeres is achieved by coordinated actions of multiple telomere-binding proteins. Deficiencies in these proteins impair chromosome end protection, triggering early cellular aging and diminishing normal functions of a human body. Building on earlier work, this project focuses on the role of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), a key enzyme that controls the cell cycle progression. The study tests the hypothesis that CDK1 regulates the dynamic structural changes of telomeres during the cell cycle and also controls the access of telomere-binding proteins to telomeric DNA. This knowledge may help fend against diseases associated with premature aging due to dysfunctional telomeres, such as dyskerotosis congenital and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
WSU Spokane: WSU Spokane Campus Bulletin - October 16, 2013
Research Summary