Welcome to the DeCaprio Lab of Viral Oncology
The DeCaprio Lab studies the family of viruses called polyomavirus that can transform normal cells into cancer cells. We focus on the discovery of fundamental biological processes that can be perturbed in cancer. Our approach has been to identify cellular proteins that bind to viral proteins and to gain insight into how these interactions contribute to cancer. As part of this effort, the DeCaprio laboratory discovered the mammalian DREAM (DP, RB-related, E2F, and MuvB) complex and determined that DREAM serves as a master coordinator of cell cycle-dependent gene expression.
The DeCaprio lab studies the contribution of Merkel cell polyomavirus Large and Small T Antigens to Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly aggressive skin cancer. We discovered that Small T antigen recruits L-MYC (MYCL) to the p400 (EP400) complex to form the SLaP (ST, L-MYC, and p400) complex in MCC. The SLaP complex creates strong dependencies on specific genes that can be drugged.
The DeCaprio lab studies the contribution of Merkel cell polyomavirus Large and Small T Antigens to Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly aggressive skin cancer. We discovered that Small T antigen recruits L-MYC (MYCL) to the p400 (EP400) complex to form the SLaP (ST, L-MYC, and p400) complex in MCC. The SLaP complex creates strong dependencies on specific genes that can be drugged.
Recent News and Highlights
We are looking for strong postdoctoral fellows to join our group! If you are interested in a post-doc position in the DeCaprio lab, please send an email to James_DeCaprio at dfci.harvard.edu with a cover letter describing your past research, your future goals, and why you would like to join the DeCaprio Lab. Please include your CV and contact information for 3 references who can speak on your scientific achievements. Strong training in the following areas are a plus: cancer biology, virology, molecular biology. We are looking for postdocs who have published in high quality international journals, and are motivated to acquire fellowships to support your work at Harvard & DFCI. |
1.30.23 Dr. Om Basukala starts as a new Research Fellow in the DeCaprio Lab. Welcome Om! 8.29.22 Dr. Furkan Bahar starts as a new Research Fellow in the DeCaprio Lab. Welcome Furkan! 8.3.22 Congratulations to Tom Frost for successfully defending his dissertation! 8.2.22 Congratulations to Mona Ahmed for successfully defending her dissertation! 7.18.22 Welcome to Surash Sau, a Northeastern student, who will perform a 6 month coop experience in the lab. Surash is supported by the Northeastern University and DF/HCC CaNCURE Program! 7.8.22 New paper! Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan and Tom Frost in JCI Insight “Milademetan is a highly potent MDM2 inhibitor in Merkel cell carcinoma” 4.25.22 Congratulations to Dr. Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan for winning best poster presentation at the the 2nd International Symposium on Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Seattle, WA! 4.22.22 Congratulations to Dr. Jason Nomburg for graduating with his PhD & his new position as Research Fellow in Jennifer Doudna’s Lab at UC Berkeley! 4.6.22 Congratulations to Dr. Ashley Gartin for graduating with her PhD & her new position as Scientist at Foghorn Therapeutics! 3.22.22 New paper! Ashley Gartin in Journal of Investigative Dermatology “Merkel Cell Carcinoma Sensitivity to EZH2 Inhibition Is Mediated by SIX1 Derepression” 1.3.22 Congratulations to Dr. Tim Branigan for his new position as Research Fellow in the Shapiro Lab at DFCI! |
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