Patrick O'Brien
Associate Chair
Department of Biological Chemistry
Professor of Biological Chemistry
Medical School
University of Michigan Medical School
Department of Biological Chemistry
1150 W. Medical Center Dr., 4220B MSRB III
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
[email protected]
Department of Biological Chemistry
1150 W. Medical Center Dr., 4220B MSRB III
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Available to mentor
Patrick O'Brien
Professor
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About
Our lab focuses on molecular mechanisms of DNA repair, replication, and mutagenesis using biochemical, biophysical, genetic and cellular approaches. We are interested in basic mechanisms that preserve genetic integrity in normal tissues and in the abnormalities that drive cancer, immunodeficiency, and aging.
Links
O'Brien Lab
Center Memberships
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Center MemberRogel Cancer Center
Recent Publications
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Lee E, Kim W, Beier DH, Lee Y, Kovalenko M, Saif F, Oliver E, Srinageshwar B, Murtha R, Andrew MA, Jiang A, Gillis T, Demelo B, Ruliera J, Lucente D, Kwak S, Lee R, Pinto RM, MacDonald ME, Gusella JF, O'Brien PJ, Wheeler VC, Seong IS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2026 Mar 10; 123 (10): e2518854123Journal ArticleHuntington's disease LIG1 modifier variant increases ligase fidelity and suppresses somatic CAG repeat expansion.
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2518854123 PMID: 41770933 -
Chukkapalli S, Williams K, Hu B, Converso-Baran K, Tussing O, O'Brien P, Neamati N, Newman EA. Translational Oncology, 2025 Aug 1; 58:Journal ArticlePOLQ mediated end-joining promotes DNA damage tolerance in neuroblastoma
DOI:10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102433 -
Tumbale PP, Jurkiw TJ, Krahn JM, Bokil NV, Admiraal SJ, Pedersen LC, Williams JS, Kunkel TA, O’Brien PJ, Williams RS. Nucleic Acids Research, 2025 Apr 24; 53 (7):Journal ArticleMolecular basis for RNA discrimination by human DNA ligase 1
DOI:10.1093/nar/gkaf299 PMID: 40239996 -
Veenstra JH, Chabez A, Haanen TJ, Keranen A, Cunningham-Rundles C, O'Brien PJ. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2024 Dec 1; 300 (12):Journal ArticleRare variants of DNA ligase 1 show distinct mechanisms of deficiency
DOI:10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107957 PMID: 39510190 -
Moritz L, Schon SB, Rabbani M, Sheng Y, Agrawal R, Glass-Klaiber J, Sultan C, Camarillo JM, Clements J, Baldwin MR, Diehl AG, Boyle AP, O'Brien PJ, Ragunathan K, Hu Y-C, Kelleher NL, Nandakumar J, Li JZ, Orwig KE, Redding S, Hammoud SS. Nat Struct Mol Biol, 2023 Jul 26;Journal ArticleSperm chromatin structure and reproductive fitness are altered by substitution of a single amino acid in mouse protamine 1.
DOI:10.1038/s41594-023-01033-4 -
McNally JR, Ames AM, Admiraal SJ, O'Brien PJ. Nucleic Acids Research, 2023 Jan 25; 51 (2): 796 - 805.Journal ArticleHuman DNA ligases I and III have stand-alone end-joining capability, but differ in ligation efficiency and specificity
DOI:10.1093/nar/gkac1263 PMID: 36625284 -
Kaplanis J, Ide B, Sanghvi R, Neville M, Danecek P, Coorens T, Prigmore E, Short P, Gallone G, McRae J, Moutsianas L, Odhams C, Carmichael J, Barnicoat A, Firth H, O’Brien P, Rahbari R, Hurles M. Nature, 2022 May 19; 605 (7910): 503 - 508.Journal ArticleGenetic and chemotherapeutic influences on germline hypermutation
DOI:10.1038/s41586-022-04712-2 PMID: 35545669 -
Ray P, Nancarrow DJ, Ferrer-Torres D, Wang Z, San Martinho M, Hinton T, Wu JH, Wu A, Turgeon DK, Hammer MA, Dame MK, Lawrence TS, O'Brien PJ, Spence JR, Beer DG, Ray D. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2022 Jan 1; 13 (1): 129 - 149.Journal ArticleUBCH5 Family Members Differentially Impact Stabilization of Mutant p53 via RNF128 Iso1 During Barrett's Progression to Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
DOI:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.08.003 PMID: 34416429
Featured News & Stories
Department News
The O'Brien lab publishes a research article in PNAS
The O'Brien lab from U-M Biological Chemistry publishes a research article in PNAS.
Department News
Congratulations to Jenna Veenstra, PhD
Biological Chemistry PhD student Jenna Veenstra of the O'Brien lab at U-M Medical School defends her doctoral dissertation.
Department News
PhD student David Beier wins Best Talk Award at the Midwest DNA Repair Symposium
PhD student David Beier of the O'Brien lab at U-M Medical School wins award at DNA repair meeting
