People

The homeobox gene HOXB13 encodes a lineage-specific transcription factor in prostatic epithelial cells and is a critical regulator of hormone-refractory prostate cancers. Germline mutations in HOXB13 are linked to familial prostate cancer risk, but the underlying mechanisms that lead to cell transformation are unclear. We investigate how lineage specific transcription factors essential for prostate development are reactivated in tumors, epigenetic profiling of drug resistant tumors, cancer genomics and development of novel therapeutics for personalized medicine.  

Jammi Prasanthi is developing new tools to decipher HOXB13 function in lethal prostate cancer progression. Using bioinformatics, computational tools, genetically engineered mouse models of prostate cancer, Jammi Prasanthi is make significant progress in elucidating the function of HOXB13 in prostate cancer and developing novel therapies.

Rising Junior: Pre-med Student
Univ of Washington Seattle
Double majoring in Biochemistry and Economics

Aashna is a very dedicated, talented researcher and a budding scientist. She has unraveled key mysteries of the HOXB13 universe and made significant strides this summer.

Ph.D. Student at Texas A and M

Hobbies: Music, Cricket and Spicy food.

Dumi has published several impactful papers from the lab.

Jiqiang has been a key collaborator and co-author with Dr. Mahajan. His collaboration has been instrumental in performing integrative bioinformatic analysis to uncover BRD4-HOXB13 and AR-HOXB13 gene signatures in primary and metastatic prostate cancers.