Research
Our DNA contains instructions for making all the proteins our bodies need, and these instructions are first copied into a molecule called RNA. Some of these RNAs go on to make proteins, but many do not. These are called non-coding RNAs, and they play important roles in how our cells function.
One type of non-coding RNA, called long non-coding RNAs (or lncRNAs), is longer than most and behaves a lot like protein-coding RNA, it’s carefully processed by the cell and often found in specific places within it. We have discovered that lncRNAs can help turn genes on or off, organize the DNA in our cells, bind to other molecules (mRNA or small RNAs) to control their activity, or act as scaffolds that help build larger molecular machines.
In our lab, we use cutting-edge tools to:
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Discover what lncRNAs actually do
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Learn how their location inside the cell affects their function
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Understand how they bind to other RNAs and proteins to influence different cellular activities.
Our lab has expertise studying non-coding RNAs in aggressive cancers, including, but not limited to, late recurrence breast cancer and multiple myeloma. We also collaborate with oncologists who study a wide range of cancer types.
Another exciting area of research in our lab involves RNA modifications. Over 170 types of chemical modifications have been found on RNA. These modifications can influence how RNA behaves in the cell and how it's processed. More recently we are learning that modifications on RNA may contribute to cancer and other diseases.
Our lab is actively investigating how RNA modifications influence cancer, working closely with biomedical engineers, chemists, and proteomics experts. Using advanced tools, we aim to uncover how these small chemical changes can have a significant impact on disease.
Our recent work was the first to discover RNA modifications in myeloma cell lines using multiple assays inlcuding sequencing, mass spectometry, and CRISPR approaches.
RNA-Based Therapies for Cancer Treatment
RNA-based therapies use RNA molecules to treat various diseases. In recent years, the number of FDA-approved non-coding RNA therapies has been steadily increasing, offering promising new treatments for multiple conditions.
Our lab is focused on using innovative RNA therapeutics, including antisense oligos (innovations available for license), specifically designed to target RNA molecules in order to treat cancer, including aggressive types of cancer. In addition to using novel diagnostic tools, we aim to harness the potential of RNA-based treatments to improve cancer care and patient outcomes.
We have several patents using antisense oligos in colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and in myeloma.
Funding
