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The focus of my research is to identify genetic aberrations that occur in various types of cancers and to understand the associated gene expression changes that take place during cancer development. While the basis of my work is in human cytogenetics, other areas of my research include the study of mouse models to gain a better understanding of the genetic events that occur in human cancer. The techniques that I utilize in my projects involve a variety of molecular genomic technologies including spectral karyotyping (SKY), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), gene expression and CGH microarrays. Some of the projects that I have worked on/am currently working on in the Ried Lab include:
Mouse Models
For several years I have been participating in various intramural collaborations involving B cell lymphomas. Mouse models of B cell lymphomas are of particular interest as they provide an experimental model system in which to study of the mechanisms of neoplasmic plasma cell development and genetic predisposition to plasma cell tumors. Such models are also useful in the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. In these projects, I identify translocations commonly observed in murine B cell neoplasms as well as detect novel aberrations utilizing spectral karyotyping (SKY) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
Chromosomal Aneuploidy and Gene Expression
In the development of cancer, normal cells undergo changes that result in chromosomal aneuplodies, genomic imbalances, and abnormal gene expression. In collaboration with another Riedlab colleague, I am employing microarray techniques on a mouse model to gain a better understanding of the patterns of genomic imbalances and to identify the gene expression signatures that occur in various stages of cancer. Exploring chromosomal aneuploidy as it relates to patterns of gene expression in a mouse model will be extremely useful in determining disease prognosis and in developing cancer therapy in humans.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Cell Lines
Other projects that I work on involve the study of hematologic malignancies. I have conducted molecular cytogenetic analysis on a variety of leukemia and lymphoma cell lines and patient samples.
For these cases, SKY has primarily been used to identify chromosomal aberrations while (CGH) comparative genomic hybridization measured genomic imbalances that could be observed in the individual cell lines. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to confirm chromosomes involved in chromosomal rearrangements. Such projects are of great value in the elucidation of novel and recurrent aberrations in hematologic malignancies, in the hopes of determining early prognostic factors for survival and in establishing new treatment options.