Mehta Laboratory
About
During brain development, cell fate factors play an important role in the coordinated regulation of neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The recent discovery of a small sub-population of ‘stem-like’ cells in brain tumors has shed light on the overlapping mechanisms between normal brain development and brain malignancies. There is a general consensus in the field that the brain tumors are maintained by the cancer stem cell population that has the capability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types of the brain. The same neurodevelopmental cell fate factors have been shown to play critical roles in the formation and progression of brain tumors. Our laboratory studies the role of lineage-specific factors in brain tumor formation, progression, and therapy resistance. We are particularly interested in transcription factors that govern cell fate decisions during early brain development and their role in cancer progression and response to treatment.
CURRENT RESEARCH
Some of the ongoing projects are focused on addressing following questions:
- What genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are deregulated in cancer stem cells compared to normal neural stem/progenitor cells?
- Which neurodevelopmental pathways are hijacked by the cancer stem cells to promote therapy resistance?
- How can we exploit the interactions between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment to specifically target brain tumor cells?
Ultimately, our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the neurodevelopmental pathways hijacked by cancer stem cells and identify specific vulnerabilities to novel therapies.
Lab Members
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Sonam Patel, PhDPostdoctoral Fellow
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Anilkumar Thaghalli Shivanna, PhDPostdoctoral Fellow
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Keely OrndorffGraduate Student
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James McNamaraResearch Technician
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Connor WhiteResearch Technician
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Raymond HonResearch Technician
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Zorana OpachichResearch Technician
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Leonel ElenaResearch Technician
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Mariya StavnichukResearch Technician
Publications
- Lo Cascio et al., Nonredundant, isoform-specific roles of HDAC1 in glioma stem cells. September 8, 2021.
- Truong et al., A three-dimensional (3D) organotypic microfluidic model for glioma stem cells – Vascular interactions. April 2019.
- Griveau et al., A Glial Signature and Wnt7 Signaling Regulate Glioma-Vascular Interactions and Tumor Microenvironment. May 14, 2018.
- Mehta et al., Developmentally regulated signaling pathways in glioma invasion. August 18, 2017.
- Kupp et al., Lineage-Restricted OLIG2-RTK Signaling Governs the Molecular Subtype of Glioma Stem-like Cells. September 13, 2016.
- Meijer et al., An amino terminal phosphorylation motif regulates intranuclear compartmentalization of Olig2 in neural progenitor cells. June 18, 2014.
JOB OPENINGS
Research Technician I – Preclinical
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center is currently recruiting a highly motivated and driven research technician, (B.S. or M.S.) to join our animal modeling team focusing on cutting edge Phase 0/II clinical trials for glioblastoma at BNI. Candidates with experience in preclinical studies are desirable. Prior experience in conducting drug treatment studies and knowledge of signal transduction pathways is preferred.
Research Technician II – Preclinical
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center is currently recruiting a highly motivated and driven research technician, to perform complex and novel procedures as a laboratory professional with a great degree of independence under the general supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI). Candidates with experience in preclinical studies are desirable. Prior experience in conducting drug treatment studies and knowledge of signal transduction pathways is preferred.
Research Technician II – Preclinical
The Ivy Brain Tumor Center is currently recruiting a highly motivated and driven research technician, to perform complex and novel procedures as a laboratory professional with a great degree of independence under the general supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI). Candidates with experience in preclinical studies are desirable. Prior experience in conducting drug treatment studies and knowledge of signal transduction pathways is preferred.