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Definition of Base excision repair
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Base excision repair: A process of DNA repair in which an altered base is excised (removed) by a DNA glycosylase enzyme, followed by excision of the resulting sugar phosphate. The small gap left in the DNA helix is then filled in by the sequential action of DNA polymerase and DNA ligase. Abbreviated BER.