Dana Branzei

Dana Branzei is a Professor and head of the Department of Biological and Genomic Treatment Approaches at the Research Center One Health within the Faculty of Biology at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She leads a research group investigating DNA repair mechanisms and genome stability. Her work focuses on how cells repair DNA damage, tolerate replication stress, and maintain chromosome integrity through processes integrated with DNA replication machinery (replisome).

Her research interests center on molecular mechanisms of DNA damage tolerance, replication fork dynamics, chromosome cohesion, and the role of protein complexes like SMC5/6 in maintaining genome stability. Key areas include error-free DNA repair pathways, SUMOylation in DNA transactions, and the molecular basis of cancer predisposition linked to replication defects.

Recent publications (2020-2023) demonstrate strong focus on replication fork protection mechanisms, chromatin remodeling during repair, helicase functions in recombination, and structural analyses of repair complexes. Research consistently bridges fundamental chromosome biology with clinical applications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Scientific Awards:

• Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (2025)
• EMBO Membership (2016)
• FIS grant by Italian Ministry of University and Research (2023)

She leads an active research team including postdoctoral fellows, PhD candidates, and master's students. Current lab members focus on replication stress responses, chromatin dynamics, and repair pathway coordination. The laboratory collaborates extensively within the University Alliance Ruhr network.