Section: Research

Hayla Sluss, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Assistant Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Cancer Biology

Other Affiliation(s):
   Interdisciplinary Graduate Program

Tumor Suppressors and Metabolic Control

The research goals of the Sluss lab are to have a better understanding of the tumor suppressor p53. We investigate classical roles of p53 in tumor suppression and novel roles of p53 in metabolic disease.  p53 is a protein that is mutated in over 50% of human cancer.  This observation underscores its importance in prevention of cancer.  We are using mouse models and perform in vitro studies to investigate p53 function.

We have generated mouse knock-in models in phosphorylation and acetylation of p53.  We have determined that p53 phosphorylation is critical for tumor suppressor function of p53. One aim of the lab is to continue to generate more knock-in mutations to study the synergy of the various phosphorylation sites on p53.  We have also generated a knock-in model in which an acetylation site has been mutated. This mutant has lead to studies on the effects of dominant negative mutations on p53 in cancer.

Another aim of the laboratory is to better understand the role of p53 in metabolism.  This is a very new area of research for the p53 signaling pathway.  We have applied genetic engineering and biochemistry to address this novel role of p53.

Office: LRB 370W
Phone: 508-856-3372
E-mail: Hayla.Sluss@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Protein Acetylation and Deacetylation, Cell Death, Cancer Biology, Checkpoints, Mouse Models

More on Hayla Sluss' Research Research | Rotations | Biography View All Sections on One Page