The Mello lab is aimed at understanding how nuclear proteins and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene transcription in pancreatic preneoplastic lesions, gaining knowledge of the process of cellular transformation and tumor initiation. To date, very little is known about the different processes and cell types that precede cancer. We are committed to describing and characterizing novel genes that play a role during early steps of tumor initiation.
We utilize physiologically relevant in vivo models and a systems biology approach, integrating multiple types of genomic data to delineate important cellular events in tumor initiation. Our research provide insights on early detection of malignant lesions, and in the development of novel strategies to treat pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis and diabetes.
