UMR9019 - Genome Integrity and Cancer

The Genome Integrity and Cancer Research Unit (UMR 9019), a joint unit of the CNRS, Gustave Roussy, and Paris-Saclay University, is dedicated to studying the mechanisms that maintain the integrity of the (epi)genome and their role in cancer predisposition, therapeutic resistance, and the development of new treatment approaches.

Its primary objective is to understand the processes that preserve genome integrity at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Research focuses on responses to DNA damage, repair mechanisms—whether or not coupled to replication—and the consequences of their disruption in cancer cells.

In recent years, the unit has expanded its area of expertise to include epigenetics and chromatin dynamics in the response to DNA damage, with a particular focus on replicative stress. It is also developing genome-wide approaches to study complex genomic regions (repeat sequences, telomeres, centromeres, fragile sites) and the mutational signatures associated with different genetic contexts.

Drawing on recognized multidisciplinary teams, the unit aims to strengthen its leadership in the field of genome integrity through several major research areas: (i) the study of the mechanisms underlying mutations and rearrangements in genomically unstable regions; (ii) the analysis of epigenetic and chromatin-based regulation of DNA replication and repair; (iii) the exploration, at the single-cell level, of signaling pathways and cell cycle control mechanisms involved in responses to replicative stress; (iv) advancing mechanistic and structural studies of the major DNA repair pathways, particularly homologous recombination and NHEJ; and (v) strengthening collaborations with other units at Gustave Roussy and clinical teams, particularly regarding mechanisms of treatment resistance.

This research aims to better understand the biology of cancers and to identify new therapeutic strategies.