Rodney J. Rothstein

Studies recombination and repair as well as the DNA damage response, using a combination of genetics and cell biology. Lab work pioneered the use of homologous recombination to alter genomes. Work on plasmid-chromosome recombination led to formulation of the double-strand break (DSB) repair model for genetic recombination. His development of one-step gene disruption technology in yeast is the foundation for knock-out technology used in many organisms. Lab work discovered many conserved genes affecting the control of genome stability including Sgs1, a DNA helicase. Defects in human Sgs1 homologs cause cancer predisposition and/or premature aging. Uncovered many interacting genes important in DNA repair. Detailed precise cellular responses to both spontaneous and induced DNA damage in living cells. Lab work demonstrated that recombination foci assemble at chromosome breaks and act as repair centers capable of repairing more than one DSB. Developed tools to screen for the ensuing genetic interactions caused by gene overexpression to gain insight into the pathways that are disrupted by the common amplicons found in cancer cells. Member, Board of Directors, Deinove, SA. Recipient, Novitski Prize, Genetics Society of America (2009). Awarded Doctor Honoris Causa in Medicine from Umeå University, Sweden (2012). Fellow of the American Society for Microbiology (2007) and American Association for the Advancement of Science (2008). Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2015).