Sashider Rajesh
Pronouns: he/him/his
Research Mentor(s): Yu Lei
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Rogel Cancer Center / Dentistry
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 5 – 3:40pm – 4:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Yu Lei, Hulya Taner, Sashider Rajesh
Presenter: 56
Abstract
Cancers are typically treated by boosting the innate immune system response, among other treatments, to allow for the body itself to fight off the cancer. Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs), are able to evade this innate immune system by behaving like a “cold tumor.” The Lei Lab has established that the onset of HNCs amplifies the SOX2 oncogene, which inhibits the STING pathway (a cancer-inhibiting system) that is necessary to produce IFN-1, a key anti-cancer protein. Now, we would like to determine the pathway that this over-expression of SOX2 uses to inhibit the STING pathway, specifically relating to the IL1-alpha protein. To do this, we have induced HNCs into transgenic mouse cell lines as well cultured various cell lines (human and mice) to get a holistic view of how this disease traverses the human body. Through the use of genotyping, immunohistochemistry, protein and RNA analysis and more techniques, I have assisted the Lei Lab in determining how HNCs act in an effort to potentially open up new treatments to aid those suffering from this illness.
Biomedical Sciences
