Dr. Aye [Robert Black Fellow] is studying the mechanism and regulation of ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs), enzymes that play an essential role in making deoxynucleotides (the “building blocks” of DNA).  RNRs are overexpressed in cancer cells, making them an ideal target for cancer drugs.  Her work will focus on understanding the mechanism of a new drug called Triapine, which may prevent the replication of tumor cells and is currently being tested in Phase II and III clinical trials.

 

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Project Title: "Investigations toward mechanistic understanding of human ribonucleotide reductase ß-subunit-specific inhibition by triapine"

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): JoAnne Stubbe, PhD

Cancer Type: All cancers

Research Area: Chemical Biology