Philip N. Tsichlis, MD Director, Molecular Oncology Research Institute Philip N. Tsichlis MD, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Postdoctoral Training, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA My laboratory uses insertional mutagenesis and other genetic strategies to identify genes that are involved in oncogenesis, or regulate phenotypic changes in tumor cells. Genes identified via these strategies are used as probes to explore function from the molecular to the animal level. Some of the genes we have identified and exploited to date include Akt1, Tpl2, Gfi-1 and Gfi-1B. Our work highlights the value of genetic studies in animal models for understanding the molecular basis of cancer and other diseases in humans.

Maria Chatziapostolou, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Maria Chatziapostolou

Changchuin Mao, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Changchuin Mao BS, Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, PRC PhD, Immunology, Tufts University, Boston, MA I am focusing on the role of the three Akt isoforms in T cell development and T cell function. I am using transgenic mice expressing constitutively active Akt in T cells from a proximal Lck promoter construct and analyzing the effect of expression on the T cell lineage. I am also conducting similar studies using the Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3 knockout mice developed in the Tschlis laboratory.

Raymond Pfau, BA Research Assistant Raymond Pfau BA, Zoology, Connecticut College, New London, CT I am searching hematopoietic neoplasms induced by retroviruses in the context of different genetic settings in rodents, for genes that may be involved in tumor induction and/or progression. To do this, I am using rapid, genome-wide screening strategies. In the course of this work, I have identified several novel oncogenes, some of which are currently under investigation.

Christos Polytarchou, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Christos Polytarchou

Oksana Serebrennikova, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Oksana Serebrennikova BS, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia PhD, Microbiology, Anti-Plague Institute Microbe, Saratov, Russia My research focuses on the role of Tpl2 in the regulation of gene expression in macrophages. In addition, I am investigating the role of Tpl2 in tumor induction by a variety of oncogenic signals. My studies provide evidence for a role of the innate and adaptive immunity in oncogenesis.

Alex Tzatsos, MD, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Alex Tzatsos MD, Patras University School of Medicine, Patras , Greece PhD, Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston , MA I am studying the role of TORC1 and TORC2 complex and their downstream targets, S6K1 and Akt, in the regulation of cellular homeostasis.