Heaphy Lab

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  • Lunaphore COMET

    mIF (pan-CK & CD56) in PanNETs

  • Photoreceptors

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

  • PanNET biomarkers

    Established tissue-based prognostic biomarkers for non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

  • Telo-CISH

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

  • Prostate Cancer TMA

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

  • ALT mechanism

    Break-induced replication mediates the extension of ALT telomeres

  • Senescent fibroblasts

    Senescent fibroblasts can accumulate and produce senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

  • Breast TDLU

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

  • Proposed PanNET model

    Multistep tumorigenesis of sporadic non-functional PanNETs

  • Lamin A/C in PrCa

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

  • ALT+ PanNET

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

  • Ki67 in small intestine

    Ki67 (red) and lamin A/C (green) IF

HEAPHY LAB MISSION

The Heaphy Lab applies an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, which combines tissue-level analysis, cell-based modeling, and molecular and spatial profiling technologies, to define how telomere dysfunction drives the initiation and progression of  cancer. Our work spans pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer, breast cancer, sarcomas, and gliomas.

We aim to translate fundamental discoveries in tumor and tumor microenvironment (TME) biology into clinically actionable biomarkers and strategies that improve cancer risk stratification, prognostication, and therapeutic decision-making.

Equally central to our mission is fostering a rigorous, collaborative, and inclusive laboratory culture. We are deeply committed to mentoring and supporting the professional and personal development of every lab member, empowering the pursuit of impactful, independent, and team-driven research.