Johns Hopkins University · PhysiologyThe TopoGen Lab
James M. Berger · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. James M. Berger's lab at Johns Hopkins University is focused on studying DNA topoisomerases, which are proteins that help manage the structure of DNA. This research is particularly important for understanding cancer development and treatment, as these proteins are crucial drug targets for cancer therapy. The lab combines various approaches, including biochemical and computational techniques, to explore how these enzymes contribute to genome stability and how drugs can be improved to better combat cancer.
DNA topoisomerasescancer biologygenome integritychromosomal instabilitydrug targeting
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how type II DNA topoisomerases affect genome stability in cancer cells.
AIM 02Determine the mechanisms behind anti-topoisomerase drug actions.
AIM 03Explore how metabolites from the TCA cycle regulate topoisomerase function.
AIM 04Analyze the impact of mutant topoisomerases on chromosomal stability.
AIM 05Develop strategies to enhance the specificity of anti-topoisomerase agents.
Skills the Lab Values
biochemical techniquescell culturecomputational modelingchemical biology methodsDNA damage assaysprotein purificationflow cytometrymicroscopy
Output against the department
Publications302top 16% of dept.47th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations20ktop 13% of dept.37th of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.