Attenello Lab

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of genetic transcripts, comprising
20% of the human genome, defined as greater than 200 nucleotides in length, but
without protein coding potential. Early studies have identified functional significance of a rising number of lncRNAs in cellular function, development and disease.

Brain injury results from multiple primary insults, including anoxia and trauma. Neural
stem cell responses to injury are commonly regulated in an epigenetic manner, where
gene expression changes may be induced by changes in the surrounding
microenvironment.

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly primary brain tumor, with incidence of
18,000 per year and 15 month prognosis despite surgical resection, chemotherapy and
radiation. 

In order to gain a better understanding of these pathologies, the Attenello
Lab investigates the functional roles of lncRNAs and other epigenetic mechanisms in
neural stem cells following injury, as well as in glioma stem cells during
glioblastoma chemotherapy. We achieve this by combining molecular biology
techniques and CRISPRi technologies. Our ultimate goal is to use the results of our
research to improve treatment efficacy in these devastating pathologies.