Rita Cha

Biography

Dr Rita Cha Senior North West Cancer Research Lecturer Educational Background BS, MIT; PhD MIT Other external positions currently held Member of the North West Cancer Research (NWCR) Scientific Committee..Previously, our research focused on genome instability, a main of cancer and birth defects. We identified that certain regions of the chromosomes, named “Replication Slow Zones (RSZs)”, are more likely break than others, thereby more likely to contribute to genome instability. Another area of research has been functions of ATM and ATR proteins. In humans, inactivation of ATM and ATR leads Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) and Seckle syndrome, respectively. They are progressive genetic disorders characterized by neuronal degeneration, cancer, microcephaly, growth retardation, and infertility. We identified two meiosis specific functions of ATM/ATR, providing mechanistic insight underlying infertility associated with A-T.

Research Interest

Cancer cell metabolism, mitochondrial function