Bio 471 2.3.12 Professor Broege Peer-reviewed article #1 in-class handout 1.

What evidence prompted this group to investigate the effect of BRCA1 on Rad51 function? In other words, what was already known that created the context for their study?

2. What measure do the authors use to determine the sensitivity of cells to the therapeutic agent?

3. In figure three, the authors examine differences in progression through the cell cycle between brca-/- and brca+/+ cells. Do they detect a difference between the cell types? If so, what do they argue is the significance of this difference?

4.Why would a chemical that induces DNA damage be used as a chemotherapeutic agent?

Bio 471 2.3.12 Professor Broege Peer-reviewed article #1 in-class handout 5. In respect to DNA damage repair, what information covered in the paper (in any section, intro/results/discussion) has expanded your understanding of or supported the concepts covered in lecture?

6. What questions remain regarding the model the authors have proposed? As a group, identify two questions and describe what experiments you would perform to address these questions.