Rau Lab
Dissecting the genomics and epigenetics of leukemia to uncover novel therapeutic approaches
The Rau Lab researches leukemias, which are blood malignancies caused by immature, aberrant cells that proliferate uncontrollably and defy regular cell death. Chemotherapy is frequently harmful and prone to relapse, even if it can cure some patients. Our goal is to identify the molecular and epigenetic processes that underlie the development of leukemia and resistance to treatment. We concentrate on how leukemia cells use epigenetic modifications — which control gene expression without altering DNA — to promote cancer. To improve patient outcomes, we want to uncover important epigenetic drivers and create treatments that rewire these harmful signals using patient samples, cell lines and animal models.
