Transcriptomic and Functional Characterisation of IGH Translocated B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a type of cancer that leads to the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a subtype of leukaemia and is caused by genetic defects in the patients DNA. How the alterations in our genes lead to the development of leukaemia is not fully understood. We identified genetic defects in patients with ALL that result in the swapping of material between two chromosomes (translocation). We believe that the genes involved in these translocations contribute to the development of leukaemia and propose to study their role. We will assess the similarities and differences that may be present by looking at the levels of gene expression amongst these patients. We will investigate whether we can begin to subgroup these patients according to which signalling pathways may be disrupted. The data generated from this analysis will inform future experiments investigating specific drug combinations that may benefit these patients.

Grant Award – Kidscan PhD Studentship (2017 – 2020)

Funding Award – £22,500

Funding Awarded to – Dr Lisa Russell

Research Location – University of Newcastle

Lead Researcher – Dr Lisa Russell

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