Wei Yang

Elucidated the nature of multiple DNA repair systems, particularly the mismatch repair pathway that ensures faithful transmission of DNA information, and the translesion DNA polymerases that permit replication forks to bypass damaged DNA sites. She worked out the structure and mechanism of the MutL ATPase, the proofreading function of MutS, and the mechano-chemical coupling of ATP hydrolysis in a molecular motor. Her studies of the RAG1-RAG2 protein complex led to a deeper understanding of V(D)J recombination. Through time-resolved crystallographic experiments, she has visualized transient cofactors that are essential for the phosphoryl-transfer reaction of a DNA polymerase.