Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Walter Chazin lab

The polymerase α-primase complex initiates synthesis of a new DNA strand during replication. The primase enzyme begins synthesis by polymerizing 7-12 ribonucleotides before pausing. This product is then transferred to the active site of polymerase α. I am using a variety of biophysical, structural, biochemical, and electrochemical techniques to probe the basis for this intramolecular transfer. This will provide a basis for understanding polymerase handoff during replication.