A major interest of our lab is to determine how tyrosine phosphorylation regulates epigenetic processes that affect cellular homeostasis, immune impairment and cancer cell survival. We employ multiple kinases & phosphatases:
ACK1 (TNK2) : An oncogene with epigenetic activity in prostate, breast & lung cancers
WEE1 : A novel epigenetic modulator & its significance in various malignancies
Major findings of our lab include:
- Discovered 3 new epigenetic events:
- Y88-Phosphorylation of histone H4
- Y37-Phosphorylation of histone H2B
- Y99-Phosphorylation of histone H3
- Identified a novel lncRNA, NXTAR that regulated expression of AR
- Developed a new class of a small molecule inhibitor for ACK1, (R)-9b
- Identified a novel WEE1 epigenetic inhibitor
- Identified a novel AKT Tyr176-phosphorylation that causes AKT activation
- Identified novel AR Lys609-acetylation
- Identified a new class of KDM6 inhibitor
Startup
These studies led to establishment of TechnoGenesys, Inc., a startup focusing on new cancer drugs.
Current Projects in Lab
- Epigenetic signaling in dampening immune cells response to tumors
- Characterization of novel WEE1 and KDM6 inhibitors
- LncRNA as Androgen receptor regulator and therapeutic strategy
Graduate Student Opportunities
We are accepting graduate students from DBBS (Cancer Biology, Molecular Genetics & Genomics, Molecular Cell Biology, Human & statistical Genetics) and Dept of Biomedical Engineering. Contact: nupam@wustl.edu
Postdoctoral Opportunities
We are in recruitment drive. Send your CV to: nupam@wustl.edu
Nupam Mahajan, PhD
Department of Surgery Faculty Profile
Professor of Surgery
Endowed Professor of Cancer Research
Director of Urological Research
Contact:
Washington University
Email:nupam@wustl.edu
Phone:
Office: 314-273-7727
Lab: 314-273-7759
Fax: 314-272-7771
Funding Sources:
- National Institute of Health (NIH)
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
- Bankhead-Coley Florida Biomedical Research Program
- Elsa U. Pardee Foundation
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)
- Celgene – Committed to improving the lives of patients worldwide