Gene specific DNA repair

There is increasing interest in gene-specific repair studies. This aspect of DNA repair is currently under intense investigation and new laboratories are entering the field. The data are coming in rapidly and we are in the midst of exciting developments. Accordingly, it is premature to build extensive models of the regulation and biological importance of gene specific repair. The purpose of this review is (i) to explain the methodology involved in these studies, (ii) to clarify some established concepts, (iii) to provide an update of the status of gene and strand specific DNA repair and (iv) to point out some of the directions in which the field is moving.