Tufts University · BiologyLaboratory of DNA Repeat Dynamics
Sergei Mirkin · Medford, Massachusetts
Research Focus
Dr. Sergei Mirkin's lab at Tufts University investigates how certain DNA structures, specifically repeating sequences, can lead to genetic disorders and cancers. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind repeat expansions that cause over fifty hereditary diseases, including various neurodegenerative disorders. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to contribute valuable insights into both basic biology and potential medical treatments.
DNA repeatsgenome instabilityrepeat expansionsneurodegenerative diseaseshuman genetics
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of DNA nick repair in repeat expansions in yeast cells.
AIM 02Study large-scale DNA repeat expansions in human cells using SV40 replication machinery.
AIM 03Analyze the structure and function of various homopurine-homopyrimidine repeats.
Skills the Lab Values
DNA sequencingyeast geneticsCas9 gene editingplasmid constructionmolecular cloning
Output against the department
Publications153top 44% of dept.455th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations10ktop 37% of dept.384th of 1,033
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.