Lucio H. Castilla, Ph.D.
| Professor |  |
|
| Ph.D.: 1995, University of Michigan | ||
| Postdoctoral research: National Human Genome Research Institute, at the National Institutes of Health | ||
| Office: | UMass Chan Medical School 364 Plantation Street, LRB-622 Worcester, MA 01605 |
|
| Phone: | 508-856-3281 | |
| Email: | Lucio.Castilla@umassmed.edu | |
Research
The Castilla laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms governing normal blood formation and leukemia development, and the pathways that can be used in novel therapy protocols. The laboratory combines mechanistic, genomic and functional approaches to study how oncogenes and tumor suppressors derail stem and myeloid differentiation to induce leukemia, and to identify specific inhibitors for targeted therapy.
Rotation Projects
Mechanisms governing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development.
The laboratory utilizes genetic models and AML patient samples to (1) understand how members of the core-binding factor transcription factor regulate differentiation of blood stem cells; and (2) study how oncogenes and tumor suppressors derail stem and myeloid differentiation programs to produce pre-leukemic progenitors, which lead to leukemia. These studies require the use of genetic mouse models, cells, genome editing and functional assays.
Targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukemia.
The laboratory applies functional and genomic approaches to study the specificity and efficacy of targeted drugs on the elimination of leukemia stem cells. These studies aim at translating basic research discoveries on improved targeted treatments in patients with leukemia.