Ulrike Kühbacher is a South Tyrolean researcher, originally from Tramin-Termeno. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University and on 28 December in Naturns (16 Uhr, am Sitz von der Firma Schweitzer) – on the occasion of the annual meeting of Südstern –  she will give a talk entitled 'The DNA Highway: How essential processes on our genetic material can threaten its integrity'.

In her talk, Kühbacher will highlight the dynamic nature of DNA, emphasising the constant activity that takes place within this fundamental genetic structure. While processes such as DNA replication and transcription are essential for life, they also pose a risk to DNA stability, potentially leading to mutations and damage. Kühbacher will investigate how cells regulate these processes to protect DNA from damage and actively repair any damage that occurs. This knowledge is of paramount importance for understanding human health, especially in contexts such as cancer development.

Kühbacher's journey into molecular science has been a notable one. Born in Bozen-Bolzano in 1992, she switched from an initial focus on electronics and telecommunications to molecular medicine at the Medical University of Innsbruck. Her academic career took her across Europe, from Stockholm to Copenhagen, where she obtained her PhD in 'Molecular Mechanisms of Disease'. Currently, at Stanford University, she continues her research on DNA replication stress responses using innovative single-molecule imaging and tracking systems.

Enthusiasts and members alike are encouraged to register for both the annual event and this enriching science talk. Kühbacher's expertise promises to unravel the mysteries surrounding DNA repair mechanisms, providing a deeper understanding of our genetic makeup and its implications for human health.

For more details and registration, visit this webpage or write to: info@suedstern.org.

The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano is an executive partner of the Südstern Network.

(zil)