E-mail: rjanke@ucdavis.edu

Project:
I am interested in understanding the role of DNA damage response signaling in the regulation of DNA repair by homologous recombination. I am currently investigating how DNA damage response dependent phosphorylation of Rad55-Rad57 may modulate its function in mediating the assembly of Rad51 nucleoprotein filaments. I hope to better understand 1) the signaling pathways responsible for targeting Rad55-Rad57, 2) the specific modifications to homologous recombination proteins associated with DNA damage signaling, 3) the consequences of these modifications, especially in the circumstance of Rad55-Rad57 phosphorylation.

Scientific Interests:
DNA damage repair, Cancer Biology, DNA Damage Response signaling, post-translational modifications, cell cycle control and checkpoints

Education
2006-present: PhD student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UC Davis,
2006- San Diego State University: BS Biology; designated emphasis in cell and molecular

Publications
1. Janke, R., Herzberg, K., Rolfsmeier, J.M., Bashkirov, V.I., Haghnazari, G.C., Yates, J.R., & Heyer, W.-D. (2010). A truncated DNA-damage-signaling response is activated after DSB formation in the G1 phase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Research, 38,2302-2313.
2. Zhang XP, Janke R, Kingsley J, Luo J, Fasching C, Ehmsen KT, Heyer WD. A Conserved Sequence Extending Motif III of the Motor Domain in the Snf2-Family DNA Translocase Rad54 Is Critical for ATPase Activity. PLoS One. 2013 Dec 16;8(12):e82184. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082184

Honors and awards
UC Davis College of Biological Sciences Dean’s Mentorship Award (2012)
NIEHS Training Grant in Environmental Toxicology (2008-2010)

Hobbies:
Playing guitar and banjo, soccer, backpacking

Ryan’s CV

Updated September, 2012