dna repair 5 (2006) 591–601
available at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dnarepair
Cellular responses to DNA damage: Current state of the
field and review of the 52nd Benzon Symposium
Jiri Lukas
a
, Vilhelm A. Bohr
b
, Thanos D. Halazonetis
c,∗
a
Institute of Cancer Biology and Centre for Genotoxic Stress Research, Danish Cancer Society,
Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
b
Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health,
5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
c
The Wistar Institute and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,
3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4268, USA
article info
Article history:
Received 19 January 2006
Accepted 19 January 2006
Published on line 28 February 2006
Keywords:
ATM
ATR
DNA double-strand breaks
Stalled DNA replication forks
Cancer
abstract
The response of cells to DNA damage is critical for maintaining genomic integrity and for
preventing cancer development. Current advances in our understanding of the response of
cells to DNA double-strand breaks and to stalled DNA replication forks and the relation-
ship of these responses to human disease were discussed at the 52nd Benzon Symposium
in Denmark, Copenhagen. Here we review the novel findings that were presented at this
Symposium and the current state of the field.
© 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The cellular response to DNA damage is the focus of scientists
working in many different fields, including radiation biology,
clinical genetics, cell cycle and cancer. Such a diverse group
of scientists participated in the 52nd Benzon Symposium on
Cellular Responses to DNA Damage in Copenhagen, Denmark
in August 22–25, 2005. The Symposium was organized by Jiri
Bartek (Copenhagen), Jiri Lukas (Copenhagen), Jan Hoeijmak-
ers (Rotterdam) and Arne Svejgaard (Copenhagen) under the
auspices of the Benzon Foundation. According to traditions
established for Benzon Symposia, the outstanding scientific
programme was complemented by visits to landmarks of the
city of Copenhagen, including the Royal Opera House and
the old Stock Exchange. Copenhagen emerged as a vibrant
∗
Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 215 898 3789; fax: +1 215 573 9271.
E-mail address: halazonetis@wistar.upenn.edu (T.D. Halazonetis).
city combining outstanding research with a high quality of
life.
For practical purposes, the scientific presentations at the
52nd Benzon Symposium were divided in five sections: (1) Cell
Cycle Checkpoints; (2) ATM and Related Kinases; (3) Trans-
duction and Repair of DNA Damage; (4) From the Test Tube
to Live Cell Imaging; (5) DNA Damage Response in Disease:
Cancer and Premature Ageing. However, there is significant
overlap between these topics and for clarity this Symposium
Review will focus on four themes: (1) Response of cells to DNA
double-strand breaks (DSBs); (2) Response to DNA replication
blocks; (3) DNA damage responses and cancer; (4) DNA damage
responses and hereditary disorders.
1568-7864/$ – see front matter © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.dnarep.2006.01.006