Extreme genome repair.
Slade et al. (2009) describe in this issue how the genome of the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans gets reassembled after being shattered by high-dose radiation. In contrast to the extreme nature of the damage, the steps of repair appear surprisingly ordinary. So, why can't all organisms carry out extreme genome repair?
Galhardo
Rodrigo S
RS
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Rosenberg
Susan M
SM
D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D034301:Deinococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial