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. |
1.27.25 Yajie Yang, a graduate student from the Karolinska Institute joins the DeCaprio lab as a lab visiting intern. Welcome Yajie!
1.06.25 Dr. Li Fan starts as a new Research Fellow in the DeCaprio Lab. Welcome Li! 7.01.24 Welcome to Emily Pan, a Northeastern coop student researcher supported by the Northeastern University and DF/HCC CaNCURE Program! 6.12.24 Congratulations to Dr. Furkan Bahar for starting his clinical residency in Internal Medicine at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge! 5.07.24 Julia Schnabel is awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein F31 Fellowship. Congrats, Julia! 4.29.24 Congratulations to Dr. Hembly Rivas on her new position as Scientist at Sarepta Therapeutics in Burlington, MA! 4.24.24 Julia Schnabel presents 4th year HMS Virology Talk 4.15.24 Alex Staikos, a Graduate student in the Virology program at HMS joins the DeCaprio Lab. 3.08.24 Matheus Lobo, MD (Hospital A. C. Camargo, Department of Skin Oncology) and Postdoctoral Fellow in the DeCaprio lab made a presentation on the “Challenges of Treating Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Brazil“ at the Multicenter Merkel Interest Group (MMIG) meeting in San Diego! 1.11.24 Welcome to Satvik Gurram, a Northeastern coop student supported by the Northeastern University and DF/HCC CaNCURE Program! |
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