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Understanding epigenetic mechanisms that govern malignant stem cell function will provide the opportunity to reverse cancer-associated epigenetic marks and have the potential to develop innovative epigenetic therapies.
North Shore - Kolling Institute of Medical Research
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays crucial roles in stem cell functions. Inappropriate maintenance of epigenetic ‘marks’ - that sit on the nuclear DNA of cancer cells and control the activity of genes - results in activation of oncogenic self-renewal pathways leading to the formation of malignant stem cells and the subsequent development of cancer. Unlike genetic alterations, epigenetic marks can be reversed by treatments with chromatin-modifying drugs, making them suitable targets for epigenetic-based therapies. Our studies have uncovered key epigenetic regulators that contribute to cancer formation and progression.
This project aims at exploring epigenetic mechanisms that govern malignant stem cell function and at discovering chromatin-modifying drugs that are capable of reversing cancer-associated epigenetic marks. The outcome of this study will have the potential to develop innovative epigenetic therapies.
Technologies to be used: Single cell omics analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics and epigenomics), cell-based assays, in vitro drug response assays, molecular and cell biology, gene and protein expression, immunofluorescence, gene editing, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), flow cytometry, patient-derived xenograft mouse models, in vivo preclinical drug testing, stem cell technologies etc.
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3156