Oligonucleotide Mutagenesis and DNA Repair

Every time a human cell divides, its entire genome of 3 × 109 base pairs must be copied. DNA replication is extremely accurate, but mistakes do occur, and sometimes the incorrect nucleotide is incorporated into the growing DNA sequence, giving rise to a mismatch. DNA is also susceptible to damage from cellular and external sources including chemical agents (such as those found in cigarette smoke), ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light. DNA damage must be kept in check in order for an organism to be viable, through DNA repair mechanisms. If mutations survive without being corrected, they can be passed down to future generations, change the function of proteins and cause cancer.

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar for their work in elucidating the mechanism of DNA repair