Characterizing DNA polymerase kappa's binding mechanism to DNA using optical tweezers

The integrity of our DNA is constantly under threat from many internal and external forces. If the cell cannot properly protect the integrity of DNA, mutations may form which can lead to diseases, including cancer. One mechanism to protect the integrity of our DNA is through a process called translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). TLS DNA polymerases are class of specialized DNA polymerases that can tolerate and bypass DNA that has been damaged. The objective of this research is to quantify the single-molecule interaction between the human TLS DNA polymerase kappa (Pol κ) with DNA using optical tweezers.