Session 1B: Using CRISPR technology to edit an oncogene, Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) and exploring the effect of environmental pollutants on health
Abstract
One of the questions we are interested in is exploring the role of wild type Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene in human cancers. MLL mutations are found in almost all known cancer types. MLL plays a role in epigenetic regulation and maintenance of cellular identity. Our research is focused on creating MLL knock out (loss of function) in various different cancer cell lines using a relatively new and promising technology CRISPR/Cas9. The cell lines that are transfected with the “MLL knock out” construct will be studied for their ability to continue the cancer growth pattern. The long term goal is to provide another target protein for small molecule therapy against cancer. The other focus of our lab is to assess the effect of low level exposure of environmental pollutants on overall health and lifespan. Today’s global population is constantly challenged by the environmental pollutants. We investigate effects of Phenol which is commonly found in a number of consumer products, such as medicinal and cosmetic preparations. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as fruit fly is used as a model organism to assess the effects of low-levels of phenol on longevity, fertility, cellular stress and health. The research aims to identify the oxidative pathway genes that are affected by phenol exposure.
Session 1B: Using CRISPR technology to edit an oncogene, Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) and exploring the effect of environmental pollutants on health
Lecture Hall
One of the questions we are interested in is exploring the role of wild type Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene in human cancers. MLL mutations are found in almost all known cancer types. MLL plays a role in epigenetic regulation and maintenance of cellular identity. Our research is focused on creating MLL knock out (loss of function) in various different cancer cell lines using a relatively new and promising technology CRISPR/Cas9. The cell lines that are transfected with the “MLL knock out” construct will be studied for their ability to continue the cancer growth pattern. The long term goal is to provide another target protein for small molecule therapy against cancer. The other focus of our lab is to assess the effect of low level exposure of environmental pollutants on overall health and lifespan. Today’s global population is constantly challenged by the environmental pollutants. We investigate effects of Phenol which is commonly found in a number of consumer products, such as medicinal and cosmetic preparations. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as fruit fly is used as a model organism to assess the effects of low-levels of phenol on longevity, fertility, cellular stress and health. The research aims to identify the oxidative pathway genes that are affected by phenol exposure.