Biology of identity and non-oncogenic addiction networks in cancer
My laboratory focuses on understanding fundamental mechanisms by which regulatory gene networks determine gene expression. Specifically, we study genes belonging to the ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like pathways that are critical for cell’s identity and deregulation of such genes is associated with aging and cancer.
Specifically we study two gene networks:
- “Identity network”; genes that are required to maintain the identity of differentiated cells that serve as a “barrier to tumorigenesis.”
- “Non-oncogenic addiction network (NOA)”; Genes that are essential for cancer cells to cope with the oncogenic stress, are vital for cancer cell survival, but are less critical to non-transformed cells. Thus, they have the potential to be targets for molecular cancer therapy.
Our current projects include:
- Characterizing the role of SUMO-Targeted-Ubiquitin Ligase in development and human cancers.
- Identification of Ub/UbL-related genes that regulate adult gut homeostasis, de-differentiation, and cancer.
Towards these aims we employ advanced genetic and genomic tools including Drosophila genetics, functional screens in vivo, genomics, biochemistry and cell biology of mammalian cells, mouse-derived intestinal organoids and patient-derived specimens.
More about the lab (movie).