NASSOUR LAB

ABOUT

Cancer arises through the gradual accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that endow cells with malignant traits. Our lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms of cancer initiation, with a focus on how telomere biology, DNA repair, and innate immunity intersect to shape early tumor development.

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that shield the ends of linear chromosomes from DNA damage surveillance and repair pathways. Loss of telomere protection is a hallmark of aging and a major source of genome instability in cancer. When telomeres become dysfunctional, chromosome ends are exposed to DNA damage sensors and are inappropriately processed by repair machinery, resulting in their fusion with other chromosome ends or non-telomeric breaks. These events lead to large-scale genomic rearrangements and fuel the genomic chaos that underlies tumor evolution.

Our lab aims to address key questions in cell biology and cancer genetics by focusing on:

• Mechanisms of DNA repair at dysfunctional telomeres
• Causes and consequences of genome instability in cancer
• Innate immune sensing and signaling in response to genomic stress

We are committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and diverse lab environment. Our lab provides outstanding training and career development opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our research, potential collaborations, or opportunities to join the lab.