The origin and catabolism of genotoxic aldehydes and their impact on stem cell maintenance.

Tissue specific stem cells enable our organs to regenerate throughout life. Their genomes must be preserved, because when they are damaged then they malfunction or die. This research will aim to define the factors that the body makes that also damage the DNA of these precious cells. We wish to understand the nature of these damaging molecules, where they are produced and how the stem cells prevents them from causing long lasting damage.