Cancer cells are characterized by loss of regulation, allowing them to go through the cell cycle in an uncontrolled fashion. We study regulation of the cell cycle, and are interested in how initiation of replication and segregation is controlled and coordinated with cell growth and cell division. We also study replication fork collapse and repair which are processes that contribute to genome instability and cancer cell development. Most of our projects are basic science projects and we use the simple model organisms Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae.

 

Current research involves:

The mechanisms of replication fork collapse and repair

The roles of the beta clamp and PCNA proteins in replication fork rescue

The role of SeqA in daughter chromosome segregation

How replication is tied to cell division?

Teaching:

K. Skarstad is professor II at the Institute of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, and is reponsible for the course FRM5810.

Contact information:
Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research,
The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, N-0310 Oslo, Norway
Phone +47 22 78 19 82 (Kirsten Skarstad), +47 22 78 12 68 (Dept. secretary), Fax: +47 22 78 19 95
Email kirsten.skarstad@rr-research.no,