Sharon Cantor, Ph.D.
| Professor |  |
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| Ph.D.: 1997, Tufts University | ||
| Postdoctoral research: Harvard Medical School | ||
| Office: | University of Massachusetts Medical School 364 Plantatio Street, LRB-415 Worcester, MA 01605 |
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| Phone: | 508-856-4421 | |
| Email: | Sharon.Cantor@umassmed.edu | |
Research
My laboratory focuses on understanding how tumor suppressor proteins function to maintain genomic integrity and suppress cancer. In particular, we focus on the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1, BRCA2 and the BRCA1-associated helicase, FANCJ (BACH1/ BRIP1). Bi-allelic loss of these genes also causes Fanconi anemia (FA), a rare chromosomal instability and cancer syndrome. Our work on FANCJ revealed that DNA repair defects underlie both hereditary breast cancer and FA. Currently, we are employing biochemical and whole-genome screening technologies, to uncover mechanisms regulating DNA repair choice and how cancer cells evade toxic chemotherapies.
Click here for a complete list of published work
Rotation Projects
The laboratory is interested in a range of DNA replication/repair-related topics including (i) Defining biomarkers of “BRCAness” that signifies deficiency in the hereditary breast/ovarian cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, (ii) Targeting BRCAness as a replication gap vulnerability, (iii) Defining why replication proficiency requires the FANCJ helicase disengage mismatch repair proteins, (iv) Determining if suppressing gaps improves the health of Fanconi anemia patient cells, (v) Hunting down the cancer vulnerability that defines curability, (vi) performing functional genomic screens to uncover mechanisms regulating chemotherapy resistance.
Positions available
A post-doctoral position and graduate laboratory rotation are available. Email Sharon Cantor