Louise Prakash

Louise Prakash is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Her research focuses on understanding how eukaryotic cells replicate damaged DNA, particularly through translesion synthesis (TLS) mechanisms. She has pioneered studies on TLS DNA polymerases like Pol η, ι, and ζ, which enable replication past DNA lesions caused by environmental agents and cellular processes.

Education:

• B.A., Biology, Bryn Mawr College
• M.A., Molecular Biology, Washington University
• Ph.D., Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago
• Post-doctoral training in Yeast Genetics at University of Rochester School of Medicine

Research Interests: Dr. Prakash's lab investigates the roles of TLS polymerases in managing DNA damage. Key areas include:

• Mechanisms enabling replication through UV-induced pyrimidine dimers
• Structural basis for Pol η's Hoogsteen base pairing
• Cooperation between Rev1 and Pol ζ in lesion bypass
• Impact of polymerase mutations on cancer mutagenesis

Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes structural studies (e.g., cryo-EM of Rev1-Polζ complexes) and functional analyses of TLS polymerases' roles in chemotherapy resistance and genome stability. Research highlights interactions between Y-family polymerases and WRN exonuclease.

Awards:

• National Institutes of Health Career Development Award
• Environmental Mutagen Society Award (2005)
• Fellow of AAAS (2005) and American Academy of Microbiology (2009)

Grants & Advising: Leads NIH-funded projects on TLS mechanisms. Advised numerous postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in DNA repair studies. Collaborates with structural biologists like Dr. Aggarwal for cryo-EM analyses.

Her laboratory is internationally recognized for defining TLS polymerase roles in cancer prevention and mutagenesis, with ongoing work on polymerase interactions during replication fork stalling.