Dr. Michael Lieber is a preeminent molecular biologist and leading authority on DNA repair mechanisms with profound implications for human health and disease. He currently holds the distinguished Rita and Edward Polusky Chair in Basic Cancer Research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. With dual MD and PhD credentials, Dr. Lieber has established himself as a visionary investigator at the forefront of genomic stability research spanning immunology, cancer biology, and aging. His foundational work began with groundbreaking discoveries in DNA repair pathways that positioned him as a thought leader at the critical intersection of molecular biology and clinical medicine.
Dr. Lieber's pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the non-homologous end joining pathway, the primary mechanism for repairing DNA double-strand breaks in human cells. His laboratory identified key molecular components including the critical roles of Ku, Artemis, and DNA-PKcs in the DNA repair process, with their 2008 work defining the mechanisms for DNA changes in lymphoma representing a landmark contribution to cancer biology. His insights into how errors in V(D)J recombination contribute to chromosomal translocations have elucidated the molecular basis for approximately forty percent of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, providing crucial knowledge for developing targeted cancer therapies. The Lieber lab's work on the intrinsically imprecise nature of DNA repair mechanisms has also established important connections between DNA repair fidelity, cancer development, and the aging process.
Beyond his seminal research contributions, Dr. Lieber has profoundly influenced the field through his mentorship of numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to establish independent research programs across the country. His laboratory continues to investigate the intricate relationship between DNA repair mechanisms, immune system development, and cancer pathogenesis, with recent work focusing on constructing high-coverage whole-genome sequencing libraries from single colon crypts without DNA extraction or whole-genome amplification. The therapeutic implications of his research remain highly significant, as understanding how to modulate DNA repair pathways could enhance cancer treatments and improve gene targeting in human stem cells. Dr. Lieber's ongoing investigations into the structural and epigenetic factors affecting DNA repair continue to drive innovation in both basic science and clinical applications, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in molecular oncology.
