Kupfer Lab



 Home  Contact  Internal  Lab Members  Publications  Research

Welcome to the Kupfer lab at Yale University




Our lab studies the relationship of genomic instability and the propensity towards development of cancer. Specifically, we focus on the genetic syndrome Fanconi anemia (FA). FA serves as a paradigm where the disciplines of development, genetics, and molecular oncology come together. Like other cancer susceptibility syndromes, such as ataxia telangiectasia and xeroderma pigmentosum,FA patients exhibit a unique hypersensitivity to DNA crosslinking agents, which is the key to the biology of FA. Unlike the other syndromes, exceedingly little is known about FA. To learn more about FA, please visit our research link.

We have three other ongoing projects related to FA. First, we have begun to purify the protein complexes containing gene products that are defective in 2 additional hematopoietic failure syndromes, Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) and congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA).

Second, we are investigating ways to use our knowledge of genomic instability for improving cancer therapeutics. We have been working on tax1, a viral oncogene, in collaboration with the Semmes laboratory at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Interestingly, tax1 chemosensitizes p53 mutant cells in culture.

Finally, we have also begun a more clinical project, using mass spectroscopy technology to find biomarkers in pediatric cancers. Again in collaboration with the Semmes laboratory, we have adapted the mass spec to analyze sera from patients with Hodgkin disease in order to identify unique protein markers of disease.

Who's visiting? (got it from [Kathleen], who thanks Barry!)

 