Evolution@Vanderbilt

The Friedman Lab explores how genomes maintain stability over time, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that govern DNA replication, DNA repair, and chromosome end maintenance. Using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a powerful model system, her lab studies telomeres and telomerase, ancient molecular solutions that balance genome preservation with flexibility in the face of damage. A central theme of the Friedman lab’s work is how cells respond to double-strand breaks, including the discovery and characterization of genomic sites that promote de novo telomere addition. While these mechanisms can introduce instability, they may also represent evolutionarily conserved strategies that allow cells to tolerate otherwise catastrophic damage. By combining genetics, genomics, and computational approaches, her work reveals how fundamental repair decisions shape genome evolution, cellular lifespan, and long-term organismal viability