Laboratory Research

John J. Rossi, Ph.D. - siRNA and Ribozymes
The focus of this laboratory is the biology and therapeutic application of small RNAs, with particular emphasis on small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and ribozymes as therapeutic agents for the treatment of HIV infection.

Adam Bailis, Ph.D. – Genetics and Molecular Biology
This laboratory investigates mechanisms of genome stability using yeast as a model system. They use a combination of genetic and molecular biological approaches to understand how homologous recombination is controlled to prevent deleterious genome rearrangements.

Mark Boldin, M.D., Ph.D.
Research in this lab is focused on the biology of noncoding RNA and the understanding of its role in the regulation of inflammation and cancer using molecular biological and genetical approaches.

Chauncy Bowers, Ph.D. - Theomics
Dr. Bowers uses computational approaches to study the roles of DNA sequence and sequence context in DNA methylation and gene regulation.

Keiichi Itakura, Ph.D. – Molecular Biology
Dr.Itakura's laboratory studies the role of ARID transcription factors in the development and maturation of adipocytes and carcinogenesis. They also study molecular events in energy balance, as well as the functions of homeobox genes in prostate cancer.

Ren-Jang Lin, Ph.D. – Molecular Biochemistry
This team studies pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms, focusing on spliceosomal helicases and in vivo splicing defects, and cancer-specific RNAs, particularly long, non-coding RNAs. Elucidating pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms may prove helpful in understanding a significant facet of cancer etiology.

Marcia Miller, Ph.D. – Molecular Immunogenetics
Oncogenic herpesvirus disproportionately causes tumors in immunocompromised patients.  This laboratory aims to understand how differences in key immune system genes may explain why some people develop these tumors while others do not.

Piroska Szabo, Ph.D. – Epigenetics
This laboratory investigates the epigenetic mechanisms governing genomic imprinting using methods of genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. The group is also involved in environmental reproductive epigenetics.