How can understanding the biology of oncogenes and RNA lead to new therapeutic possibilities?

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Oncogene Biology

​Why do so many cancers recur after seemingly successful treatment? The Wolfe lab strives to gain a deeper understanding of how tumors depend on driver oncogenes to reprogram their growth, metabolism, and survival signals. Understanding mechanisms by which pancreatic cancers, lung cancers, and colorectal cancers develop resistance to targeted therapies is instrumental to developing innovative approaches that can improve patient outcomes.

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RNA Biology

How does the regulation of RNA help a cell decide when it is the right time to divide? We study how RNA binding proteins control cell proliferation, toward a deeper understanding of the networks that impact cellular behaviors. 

 

Research Techniques
The lab employs techniques related to molecular biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, cancer signaling, tissue culture, large-scale screening, models of cancer, flow cytometry, CRISPR, and more.