Scientific Interest(s):
Dr. Dinesh Rao is interested in understanding the molecular underpinnings of cancer. Specifically, the processes by which the normal differentiation of cells is disrupted in cancer are of great interest. In this context, he is studying the role of microRNAs in hematopoiesis and malignancy. His research has led to the identification of several miRNA species important in acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, the exploration of these miRNAs as factors in hematopoietic development has helped to highlight the complex genetic networks that are co-opted by cancer cells. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic options are likely to be generated by the study of these important regulators of gene expression.
Selected Cancer-Related Publications:
Rao DS, O'Connell RM, Chaudhuri AA, Garcia-Flores Y, Geiger TL, Baltimore D. MicroRNA-34a perturbs B lymphocyte development by repressing the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp1. Immunity. 2010 Jul 23;33(1):48-59. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
O'Connell RM, Rao DS, Chaudhuri AA, Baltimore D. Physiological and pathological roles for microRNAs in the immune system. Nat Rev Immunol. 2010 Feb;10(2):111-22.
Rao DS, Gui D, Koski ME, Popoviciu LM, Wang H, Reiter RE, Said JW. An inverse relation between COX-2 and E-cadherin expression correlates with aggressive histologic features in prostate cancer. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2006 Dec;14(4):375-83.
Rao DS, Bradley SV, Kumar PD, Hyun TS, Saint-Dic D, Oravecz-Wilson K, Kleer CG, Ross TS. Altered receptor trafficking in Huntingtin Interacting Protein 1-transformed cells. Cancer Cell. 2003 May;3(5):471-82.
Rao DS, Hyun TS, Kumar PD, Mizukami IF, Rubin MA, Lucas PC, Sanda MG, Ross TS. Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 is overexpressed in prostate and colon cancer and is critical for cellular survival. J Clin Invest. 2002 Aug;110(3):351-60.