Research
The Piwnica-Worms laboratory focuses on identifying alterations with functional significance to the development and progression of breast cancer. A major effort is directed towards elucidating the contribution made by heterogeneity (genomic, phenotypic, spatial and compositional) in both the tumor and its microenvironment to cancer progression, metastasis and resistance to therapy. A second major effort is understanding how fasting and certain diets protect stem cells and promote organismal survival in the presence of lethal forms of DNA damage.
Experimental models include:
- human tumor tissue
- patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of breast cancer and engineered mouse models
- 3D organoid cultures of human breast cancer
Methodologies include:
- imaging mass cytometry
- single cell and bulk RNA sequencing
- proteomics
- whole exome sequencing
- preclinical trials
- CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
- ShRNA and CRISPR-Cas screens
- high throughput drug screening
Research Areas:
- breast cancer
- metastasis
- intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms (to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors)
- protective effects of fasting on stem cell viability
Give Now
Your gift will help make a tremendous difference.
Research Areas
Find out about the four types of research taking place at MD Anderson.
Subscribe
Get the latest information on our cancer breakthroughs.