December 31, 2019

Dr. Chen Zhao received a five-year NIH R01 research grant entitled “Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 (HSF1) Specifically Regulates AML Stem Cell Self-Renewal”. The project will focus on dissecting the role of HSF1 in regulating normal hematopoiesis as well as self-renewal of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells. HSF1 maintains cellular homeostasis by regulating expression of heat shock proteins that protect cells from misfolded protein-induced proteotoxic stress. In addition, the project will determine if the expression level of HSF1 correlates with human AML status. We anticipate the project will lead to the design and testing of new HSF1-targeted approaches for improving AML treatment and monitoring disease status.

The research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Haihui Xue in the Department of Microbiology, who will assist with multi-omics studies.