Ani Deshpande PhD

Related Disease
Cancer, Leukemia/Lymphoma

One of the core interests of the lab is to understand regulation of key developmental processes that are important for normal stem cells and are frequently misregulated in human cancer. We are currently investigating genetic and epigenetic abnormalities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) using mouse models, gene targeting and genome-scale approaches. Our overarching goal is to uncover therapeutic nodes of intervention in human leukemia.

Available Positions in the Deshpande Lab

We are seeking exceptional candidates with broad interests/expertise in cancer epigenetics and stem cell biology at the level of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates. 

• Graduate students
  Applicants interested in graduate positions should send their applications to the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences. The application period opens in the fall. 
• Undergraduate students
  Please contact Dr. Deshpande via email adeshpande@SBPdiscovery.org.

Ani Deshpande’s Research Report

Normal and malignant stem cells: One of the core interests of the lab is to investigate the role of chromatin regulators in benign and malignant hematopoiesis. Several attributes of normal stem cells such as the ability to self-renew are co-opted or reactivated by cancer cells on their way to malignant transformation. We are interested in characterizing the molecular determinants of “stemness” using hematopoietic stem cells as a model and in identifying ways and means by which these stem-cell associated pathways are usurped for oncogenesis. 

The leukemia epigenome: Abnormal epigenetic changes have emerged as important mediators of oncogenesis. Genomic investigations of human cancer have uncovered mutations in writers, erasers and readers of the histone code. The goal of our laboratory is to connect basic mechanisms of chromatin regulation to diseased states with a focus on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Ultimately, we are interested in the rational design of screens to develop therapeutics targeting dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms in AML. 

Chromosomal translocations in cancer: Ever since the discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome in 1960, a number of different chromosomal translocations have been identified in human cancer that result in the formation of potent fusion oncogenes, abnormal activation of latent proto-oncogenes, or other oncogenic events. We are very interested in investigating the impact of chromosomal translocations on the development of human cancer. Moreover, we are also interested in understanding the propensity of certain genomic loci for recurrent involvement in oncogenic chromosomal translocation events in the context of human myeloid malignancies.