WEHI PhD Completion Seminar hosted by Professor Jane Visvader

Serena Kane

PhD Student – Breast Cancer Laboratory, ACRF Cancer Biology & Stem Cells division – Cancer Research & Treatments Theme, WEHI

Exploring the regulation of lineage-specific genes in mammary epithelial cells

Davis Auditorium

Join via SLIDO enter code #WEHIphdcompletion

Including Q&A session

Followed by refreshments in Tapestry Lounge

Breast cancer can be categorised into distinct subtypes, each with profoundly different molecular signatures and clinical implications. These subtypes are thought to arise from different cells of origin in the mammary epithelial differentiation hierarchy. Thus, improving our understanding of the mechanisms of gene regulation involved in epithelial differentiation will improve our understanding of how these processes can go wrong in cancer development.

Serena’s PhD projects have utilised CRISPR/Cas9 and sequencing technologies to interrogate gene regulation in mammary epithelial cells. Specifically, CRISPRa technology was used to activate gene regulatory elements of lineage-specific transcription factors in vitro and ex vivo. Multiple whole genome CRISPR knock-out screens were performed to identify novel regulators of GATA3 expression in human luminal breast cancer cell lines. Finally, Serena will also present preliminary findings on expression and chromatin accessibility changes in a small cohort of rare ATM and PALB2 germline mutation carrier samples.

All welcome!