Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Kim [HHMI Fellow] is studying the molecular links between cancer cells undergoing metastasis and formation of the face during development (known as craniofacial development). Both craniofacial and cancer cells must enter a migratory state triggered by certain key transcription factors including TWIST1. However, the exact role of TWIST1 appears to vary across cell types, which might explain some of the differences between cells found in various cancers and in normal craniofacial development. Dr. Kim is using genomic tools to dissect how transcription factor cooperation may toggle TWIST1 function across cell types, with potential implications for all cancers.