Alexander Drohat

Dr. Alexander C. Drohat is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms and epigenetic regulation through DNA methylation, with a particular emphasis on thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) and SUMO modification pathways. Utilizing biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches—including NMR spectroscopy and crystallography—his lab explores how TDG maintains genomic integrity by repairing oxidized and deaminated bases, while also investigating its role in active DNA demethylation via TET enzymes.

Notably, his work reveals how SUMO conjugation dramatically impairs TDG activity, potentially enabling it to function as a transient reader of modified cytosines. His lab has characterized TDG's interactions with substrates like G·T mismatches, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine, uncovering critical residues and mechanisms for specificity and catalysis. Recent studies highlight TDG's search strategies involving nucleosome interactions and its regulation by sumoylation.

• 2025: Characterized 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoadenine repair
• 2024: Investigated TDG sumoylation effects on DNA binding
• 2023: Developed 19F NMR methods for nucleotide flipping
• 2022: Linked TDG activity to genomic methylation patterns
• 2019: Defined TDG's role in 5-carboxylcytosine excision

Dr. Drohat has received prestigious accolades including AAAS Fellowship (2022) and an NIGMS MIRA Award (R35GM136225, 2020-2025). His work is supported by continuous NIH funding since 2005.