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Lucio H. Castilla, Ph.D.


Professor castilla-lucio.jpg
   
Ph.D.: 1995, University of Michigan
Postdoctoral research: National Human Genome Research Institute, at the National Institutes of Health
   
Office: UMass Chan Medical School
364 Plantation Street, LRB-622
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: 508-856-3281
Email: Lucio.Castilla@umassmed.edu

Research

Lab Website

The Castilla laboratory focuses on understanding the mechanisms governing normal blood formation and leukemia development, and the pathways that can be used in novel therapy protocols. The laboratory combines mechanistic, genomic and functional approaches to study how oncogenes and tumor suppressors derail stem and myeloid differentiation to induce leukemia, and to identify specific inhibitors for targeted therapy.

Rotation Projects 

   Mechanisms governing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development.

The laboratory utilizes genetic models and AML patient samples to (1) understand how members of the core-binding factor transcription factor regulate differentiation of blood stem cells; and (2) study how oncogenes and tumor suppressors derail stem and myeloid differentiation programs to produce pre-leukemic progenitors, which lead to leukemia. These studies require the use of genetic mouse models, cells, genome editing and functional assays.

   Targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukemia.

The laboratory applies functional and genomic approaches to study the specificity and efficacy of targeted drugs on the elimination of leukemia stem cells. These studies aim at translating basic research discoveries on improved targeted treatments in patients with leukemia.