Differentiation and Transcription

• Research Home
>
• Laboratory Research
>
• Cancer Cell Biology Program
>
• Differentiation and Transcription

Differentiation and Transcription - Research at Peter Mac

The Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory investigates mechanisms of transcriptional control of differentiation and carcinogenesis in epithelial tissues. These include gastrointestinal, mammary, epidermal and neurogenic tissues. We are particularly interested in stem and progenitor cell regulation in these compartments.

Research focus

Gastrointestinal epithelial tissue homeostasis and early events that initiate cancer. Mammary development, stem cells and carcinogenesis. Control of transcriptional elongation. Chromosome stability, radiation responses and DNA Repair. Translation of basic research discoveries into new therapies and vaccines.

Research overview

The Differentiation and Transcription Laboratory studies the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in epithelial and neuronal tissues. The molecular emphasis is on transcriptional control of these processes. Myb has been our traditional focus as it has an essential role in haematopoiesis and colon development as well as malignancy. Other transcription factors that the lab is keenly interested in include p53, CREB and beta catenin-LEF-1/TCF4, and the signaling pathways that activate them. We employ a broad range of mouse models with specific mutations that affect tissue homeostasis and the risk of developing cancer. The two major cancers we investigate are colon and breast cancer. Our efforts to understand these cancers have lead to the development of a novel DNA vaccine that targets these cancers in vivo. We are getting very promising results using this vaccine in a range of preclinical models. We also have a strong focus on DNA repair, chromosome stability and the connection between chromosome integrity and transcriptional control.