Bjoern Schwer, MD, PhD

Associate Professor
Suzanne Marie Haderle and Robert Vincent Haderle Endowed Chair
Department of Neurological Surgery
+1 415 476-6786
Research Overview: 

The DNA that makes up the cellular genome is constantly exposed to damage from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Cells must repair DNA damage to maintain their genome. In some biological contexts, cells also rely on DNA breakage and repair to actively alter and rearrange specific parts of their genome. My lab is investigating the mechanisms that mammalian cells use to generate and repair DNA breaks. A major current interest is in how DNA breaks and chromosomal rearrangements in neural lineage cells affect brain function and disorders.

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Developmental & Stem Cell Biology
Research Summary: 
Genomic instability and DNA repair in neural cells
Mentorship Development: 

4/11/19    Acknowleding and Negotiating the Mentee-Mentor Tensions Inherent in the Research Lab (Mission Bay)
12/19/19    ACRA: Setting Training Expectations for Trainees on the Academic Career Track (1.5 hours)
3/10/20    Promoting Student Mental Health:A Presentation and Discussion (Staff and Faculty)
4/30/20    Mental Health in a Pandemic: Q&A for Faculty
10/20/20    Gathering in Community: a Training for Faculty and Staff

Websites

Featured Publications: 

Transcription-associated processes cause DNA double-strand breaks and translocations in neural stem/progenitor cells.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Schwer B, Wei PC, Chang AN, Kao J, Du Z, Meyers RM, Alt FW

Long Neural Genes Harbor Recurrent DNA Break Clusters in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Cell

Wei PC, Chang AN, Kao J, Du Z, Meyers RM, Alt FW, Schwer B