Title: Associate Professor
Biochemistry
Office: 203 Mathematics and Science Center
Phone: (248) 370-2349
Fax: (248) 370-2321
E-mail: [email protected]
Wu Lab Website
Education and Research Experience
2012-2016 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
2011-2012 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL
2003-2010 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
1999-2003 B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA
Honors and Awards
2019-2021 American Heart Association Institutional Research Enhancement Award
2018, 2020 Michigan Space Grant Consortium Research Seed Grant
2018 Oakland University Research Committee Faculty Research Fellowship
2018-2020 American Heart Association Innovative Project Award
2017-2019 American Heart Association Institutional Research Enhancement Award
2016, 2019 Research Excellence Award for Biomedical Research
2016 Oakland University Research Committee Faculty Research Award
2011-2014 American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship
2010 Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Medical Scientist Award
Research Statement
My primary research focus is to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which DNA repair enzymes function because their defects often contribute to the early onset of genetic diseases. In particular, I am interested in how the FANCJ DNA helicase and the BRCA1 tumor suppressor assemble onto damaged DNA structures. Malfunctions of FANCJ and BRCA1 are strongly linked to breast and ovarian cancers, Fanconi anemia and congenital heart failure. I use a combination of biochemical/biophysical, single-molecule, and structural approaches to gain a detailed understanding of the macromolecular interactions involved in this DNA repair network.
Ziu, I., Laryea, E.T., Alashkar, F., Wu, C.G., and Martic, S. (2020) A dip-and-read optical aptasensor for detection of tau protein. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 412(5), 1193-1201,
Lowran, K., Campbell, L., Popp, P., Wu, C.G. (2019) Assembly of a G-quadruplex repair complex by the FANCJ DNA helicase and the REV1 polymerase . Genes 11(1), 5-16
Wu, C.G., and Spies, M. (2016) G-quadruplex recognition and remodeling by the FANCJ helicase. Nucleic Acids Res 44(18), 8742-8753
Wu, C.G., Bain, F., Spies, M. (2016) Single-molecule sorting of DNA helicases. Methods 108, 14-23
Xie, F., Wu, C.G., Weiland, E., Lohman, T.M. (2013) Asymmetric Regulation of Bipolar Single-stranded DNA Translocation by the Two Motors within E. coli RecBCD Helicase. JBC 288(2), 1055-1064
Wu, C.G., and Spies, M. (2012) Overview: What are Helicases? Adv Exp Med Biol 767, 1-16
Wu, C.G., Xie, F., Lohman, T.M. (2012) The Primary and Secondary Translocase Activities within E. coli RecBC Helicase are Tightly Coupled to ATP Hydrolysis by the RecB Motor. J Mol Biol 423(3), 303-314
Fischer, C.J., Tomko, E.J., Wu, C.G., and Lohman, T.M. (2012) Fluorescence Methods to Study DNA Translocation and Unwinding Kinetics by Nucleic Acid Motors. Methods Mol Biol 875, 85-104
Pugh, R.A., Wu, C.G., and Spies, M. (2011) Regulation of Translocation Polarity by Helicase Domain 1 in SF2B Helicases. EMBO J 31(2), 503-514
Wu, C.G., Bradford, C.L., Lohman, T.M. (2010) E. coli RecBC Helicase has Two Translocase Activities Controlled by a Single ATPase Motor. Nat Struc Mol Biol 17(10), 1210-1217
Lohman, T.M., Tomko, E.J., Wu, C.G. (2008) Non-hexameric DNA Helicases and Translocases: Mechanisms and Regulation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 9(5), 391-401
Wu, C.G. and Lohman, T.M. (2008) Influence of DNA End Structure on the Mechanism of Initiation of DNA Unwinding by the Escherichia coli RecBCD and RecBC Helicases. J Mol Biol 382(2), 312-326