Welcome to the lab of Charles G. Mullighan, MBBS (Hons), MSc, MD
Front row (L to R): Chunxu Qu, Hiroki Yoshihara (former), Debbie Payne-Turner, Kathryn Roberts, Ilaria Iacobucci, Michelle Churchman (former), Ian Moore, Ashley Hill and Zhaohui Gu. Back row (L to R): Yunchao Chang, Evan Comeaux (former), Yaqi Zhao, Charles Mullighan, Aman Seth, Kirsten Dickerson, Elena Varotto, Bryan Huber and Dave Cervi.
The goal of the Mullighan laboratory is to identify the constellations of inherited and acquired genetic alterations that drive the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and related disorders, and translate these discoveries into mechanistic insights and advances in diagnosis and therapy. The lab has a strong track record of performing state-of-the art integrated genomic analysis of thousands of ALL samples coupled with detailed mechanistic analysis, and has made many of the seminal discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the genetic basis of ALL, and the way in which the disease is now diagnosed and treated. Highlights include:
In addition to studying an unparalleled genomic dataset from human samples, the lab uses a broad range of experimental approaches including biochemical approaches, generation of engineered mouse models using recombineering and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, RNAi and CRISPR functional genomic screens, epigenomic and chromatin profiling, single cell genomics, xenograft propagation, cross-species genomics and preclinical studies. The lab is very interested in looking “outside” the leukemic cell to understand treatment failure, for example, by modeling the role of genotype dependent and independent interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment as a mechanism of resistance, and examining the genomic determinants of responsiveness to immunotherapy.
The laboratory is closely integrated with the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center Hematological Malignancies Program and many of the discoveries from the laboratory have been incorporated into clinical trials at St. Jude and worldwide. We have strong links with pediatric and adult cooperative groups including the Children’s Oncology Group, the NCT TARGET initiative, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The ACRIN Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, and the Alliance Cancer and Leukemia Group B.
Research is supported by multiple sources, including an NCI Outstanding Investigator Award, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society SCOR and TRP grants, and foundation grants.
The laboratory provides an exceptional environment for training in experimental and computational biology relevant to acute leukemia, and prospective postdoctoral fellows with experience and/or interest in joining the laboratory are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Mullighan. Funded training positions are available, and the majority of trainees have secured competitive training fellowships, publications in leading journals, and positions as scientists or independent faculty.