Bioinformatics and Genomics Research Opportunities
The research in our laboratory focuses on the development of bioinformatics methods to improve our understanding of the genetic basis of human diseases, and the integration of electronic health records and genomic information to facilitate genomic medicine on scale.
Develop novel MRS/MRI techniques to enhance diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases
Develop novel MRS/MRI techniques to enhance diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases
The Human Chronobiome
How does time-dependent variability observed in molecular networks and phenotypes drive health and disease?
Undergraduate opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research on the microbiome
Undergraduate opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research on the microbiome.
Real-time Clinical AI Systems in Tsui Lab
The Tsui lab works on real-time clinical AI and machine learning research and deployment for solving real-world problems using real-world data.
X-Inactivation Analysis
The students will learn how to use molecular biology technologies to answer fundamental genetic questions.
Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
The research student works with a mentor in the Electrophysiology (Arrhythmia) Section of the Pediatric Cardiology Division at CHOP (Dr. Vetter) on a project related to conditions that can result in sudden cardiac arrest in children, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools, or associated areas.
Undergraduate Laboratory Research Assistant in Immunology
The Oliver lab is focused on understanding basic mechanisms that explain how our immune system protects us against pathogenic infection and prevents inflammation and consequent tissue damage.
Ovarian Cancer and Cellular Senescence
EPIGENETICS OF EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER
A major discovery in recent cancer genome-wide sequencing is the identification of significant genetic changes in chromatin-modifying genes. However, despite great strides in identifying the various epigenetic enzymes/factors involved in cancer, the translational application of these findings in cancer intervention remains to be explored. The Zhang lab will pursue these issues in the coming years by focusing on the epigenetic SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) and Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) complexes as proof of principles in the context of ovarian cancer.
a. Mechanism-guided therapeutic strategies for genetic alterations that affect the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex in epithelial ovarian cancer (such as ARID1A mutation in clear cell and endometrioid subtypes of ovarian cancer, and CARM1 amplification/overexpression in high-grade serous ovarian cancer).
b. Epigenetic approaches to chemotherapy resistance and cancer stemness in epithelial ovarian cancer.
c. Epigenetic approaches to primer for and/or synergize with immunological therapy in epithelial ovarian cancer.
d. PARP inhibitors resistance mechanism and approaches to sensitizing BRCA-proficient ovarian cancer to PARP inhibitors.
EPIGENETIC AND METABOLIC BASIS OF CELLULAR SENESCENCE
Cellular senescence is a state of stable cell growth arrest that is accompanied by drastic molecular and phenotypic changes. Cellular senescence is a major contributor to tissue aging and plays a context-dependent role in tumor development. For example, cellular senescence is tumor suppressive and overcoming the senescence-associated cell growth arrest is a necessary step during cell transformation. In contrast to its tumor suppressive function, senescent cells can also promote cancer by acquiring a secretory phenotype and create a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. The biological process of cellular senescence represents an ideal paradigm to examine the role of the DNA damage response, epigenetically determined chromatin structure, and metabolic reprogramming during tissue aging and cancer development.
a. Chromatin basis of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.
b. Targeting senescence-associated metabolic vulnerability to develop cancer therapeutics.
c. Targeting senescence-associated immunological vulnerability to develop cancer therapeutics.