The scientific goal of the Nacev Lab is to understand how cancer-associated genetic alterations in chromatin regulators promote cancer and to leverage this understanding to advance new therapeutic approaches in the clinic. Specifically, we model these events and study how the epigenome is dysregulated to alter transcriptional and developmental programs important for cancer growth and oncogenic behavior. To do so, we employ diverse tools including genetics, chemical approaches, and epigenomic approaches.
Oncohistones
Oncohistones
Histone proteins are the core subunits of the nucleosome particle, which undergoes chemical modifications and rearrangements to regulate gene function. We study how cancer-associated mutations in histones (‘oncohistones’) disrupt the histone code and dysregulate chromatin.
Chromatin Dysregulation in Sarcomas
Chromatin Dysregulation in Sarcomas
Sarcomas are a family of cancers, which derive from mesenchymal tissues (e.g. muscle, bone, fat, etc). Pathologic genetic events in chromatin regulators in sarcomas are common. We study how these affect chromatin and chromatin-regulated processes in order to understand disease biology and develop better treatment.