Heaphy Lab
The HEAPHY LAB conducts basic and translational research studies focused on elucidating the role of telomere alterations in the initiation of human diseases, particularly cancer.
Overall, we use a combination of tissue-based, cell-based, and molecular approaches to study normal and abnormal telomere biology as it relates to cancer initiation and progression, with a particular interest in the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) phenotype – a telomerase-independent telomere maintenance mechanism.
In addition, we focus on how these findings may be readily translated into accurately predicting cancer risk, early detection, prognosis, and potential response to targeted therapies.