Wasylishen Lab

Research Focus

Our overall mission is to make meaningful progress towards improving outcomes for cancer patients through a comprehensive understanding of essential disease mechanisms.

Our primary focus is the pathogenesis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and the tumor suppressor genes DAXX, ATRX and MEN1. We use a combination of genetically engineered mouse and cell line models to understand the physiologically relevant function(s) of these genes, and how mutations contribute to tumorigenesis. As these tumor suppressor genes are all epigenetic regulators, we are generally interested in how chromatin changes impact transcriptional cell states and downstream cellular and tissue phenotypes.

We work collaboratively and are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive, engaged and inclusive lab environment.