Q&A: Why it’s important for cells to make copies on a tight schedule

Allison McClure, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at CU School. She is focused on learning everything about how cells replicate or how to make copies of themselves. McClure and her research team are trying to understand how cells copy all their DNA on time, and genetic mistakes are passed on to next-generation cells.

In this interview, she discusses how this works.

How do cells stay on time and not delayed when making copies of themselves?

Every cell in our body must make a copy of itself to keep us alive. Did you know that the genetic information (DNA) within each cell that needs to be copied is equivalent to a 200,000-page book?

Are cells usually on a strict schedule when replicating DNA?

“As you can imagine, the cell replication process is regulated, and it’s like writing a newspaper article on a tight schedule and on a tight deadline,” she says.

“You can interview multiple experts about important new laws and report those facts in news stories or think about the process of replication like a newspaper journalist who replicates. Journalists are expected to complete articles that will be published in newspapers at a certain deadline, so the public has accurate information about how the law will be applied before the law closes.

McClure’s labs are working on amazing discoveries. Sometimes things stall and DNA replication doesn’t end on schedule! Her team has created a brand new copy of the DNA when the cells already begin to split after the typical deadline for copying DNA has passed. The timing of this replication delay raised many questions the lab worked so hard to answer.

Why do cells delay or stall when replicating DNA?

“Looking back at the journalists, it’s possible that you’re missing the deadline is a simple procrastination or not finishing the task on time. But perhaps the delay is due to an audio equipment issue? Perhaps the interview record was distorted, and the journalist was stuck without an accurate quote from the experts.

“No matter which issue occurred, the deadline was overlooked, reporters needed additional help from others, and the article was submitted later than expected.”

Despite the issue of late deadlines, it is also important that reporters submit de facto stories to ensure that inaccurate information is not reaching the public.

Similarly, McClure’s labs are investigating a variety of cell factors that can help cells that stopped after the original replication deadline have passed and restart the replication process.

Why is the research that McClure and her team are working on in their lab so important?

If cell replication makes many errors and does not follow the normal schedule, cancer cells spread across our bodies. This is why it is important to learn how cells can overcome replication regression. McClure and her team hope to work to understand how cells can fix stalls during replication, revealing how cells become cancerous and ultimately proceeding with treatment to stop the spread of cancer.