Heaphy Lab

Photoreceptors
Telomere-specific FISH with colabeling for cone nuclei and processes (green) and rod nuclei (magenta)

Prostate Cancer TMA
Telomere-specific FISH with costaining for a basal-specific cytokeratin (magenta) as well as NKX3.1 and FOXA1 (green)

Senescent fibroblasts
Senescent fibroblasts accumulate with age and can be accompanied by senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

Lamin A/C in PrCa
Costaining for a lamin A/C (green) and cytokeratin 8 in a prostate cancer

Telo-CISH
Telo-CISH multiplex with basal-specific cytokeratin facilitates easy identification of short telomeres

Breast TDLU
Telomere and centromere-specific FISH with costaining for smooth muscle actin (magenta) and Ki67 (turquoise)

ALT+ PanNET
Telomere-specific (red) and centromere-specific (green) FISH denotes the presence of ALT

ALT mechanism
Break-induced replication mediates the extension of ALT telomeres

Proposed PanNET model
Multistep tumorigenesis of sporadic non-functional PanNETs
HEAPHY LAB MISSION
Using a combination of tissue-based, cell-based, and molecular approaches, we conduct basic and translational research studies focused on elucidating the role of telomere alterations in the initiation and progression of human diseases, particularly cancer (e.g. prostate cancer, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, breast cancer, sarcomas, gliomas).
Our long-term goal is focused on how detection of molecular alterations in the tumor or tumor microenvironment may be readily translated into the clinic to accurately predict cancer risk, prognosis, and potential response to targeted therapies.
We aim to foster a collaborative lab environment that leads to excellent professional training and scientific productivity. We are deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in academia and medicine, and value personal and professional development for all.
