Our efforts center around non-genetic mechanisms of chemoresistance. We are particularly interested in the mechanisms and targeting of residual tumors following chemotherapy and targeted therapy. We use CRISPR functional genomics screening, transgenic mouse models, patient-derived xenografts models, and primary patient tumor specimens to investigate chemotherapeutic responses. Our research has provided insights into how driver oncogenes maintain the neoplastic state, and how to target the survival mechanisms to eradicate residual tumors (Li, et al, Cancer Cell, 2014; Choi & Li, PNAS 2014; Liu et al, J Hematol Oncol 2019; Azizian et al, J Hematol Oncol, 2020; Du et al, BMC Cancer, 2021; Liu et al, Nat Commun, 2022; Deutzmann et al Nat Commun, 2024). In addition to therapeutic studies, we combine cancer biology with physical sciences to develop novel technology platforms for the investigation of tumorigenesis and therapeutic responses (Li et al, Sci Rep 2019; Azizian et al, J Proteome Res 2021).
