Application of Genomic Approaches in Understanding
 MLL Fusion Protein Mediated Oncogenic Gene Activation

Fusion proteins occur frequently in several different forms of leukemia. My study aims to identify the process that occurs when these proteins promote the expression of certain types of genes that contribute to these diseases. Using a combination of biochemical and genomic approaches, I will dissect the process by which fusion proteins cause these genes to be expressed. Understanding of this gene expression in leukemia cells may facilitate the development of targeted novel therapeutic agents that could be used to help treat these forms of leukemia correcting the aberrant transcriptional process.