Biography
Overview of interests
Dr. Lohnes’ work focuses on two broad themes: (i) improving our understanding of the genetic networks underlying early development of the mammalian embryo and (ii) pathways and transcriptional networks impacting intestinal development and homeostasis, including colorectal cancer.
Work in the group utilizes gene editing methods to develop mouse models to interrogate the role of specific transcription factors and signaling pathways in development and disease. His work contributes to a better understanding of normal developmental processes and how misregulation of these events may lead to congenital birth defects including neural tube defects. In the adult, some of these pathways are also implicated in the genesis of certain cancer, and work from the Lohnes laboratory is providing new insight as to these relationships.
Scientific breakthroughs
Over the past several years, work from the group has revealed fundamental roles for a family of transcription factors, the Cdx family, as essential regulators of events which direct normal mammalian development. In addition, studies from the Lohnes lab have shown that the Cdx transcription factors serve to both “read” and to regulate the activity of several signaling pathways that are themselves essential for normal development. These studies have not only uncovered novel fundamental processes in developmental biology, but also suggest new bases for certain congenital defects prevalent in the human population. In addition, these pathways and transcription factors play fundamental roles in several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and some leukemias.
Accomplishments / Awards
Over the past several years, work from the group has revealed fundamental roles for a family of transcription factors, the Cdx family, as essential regulators of events which direct normal mammalian development. In addition, studies from the Lohnes lab have shown that the Cdx transcription factors serve to both “read” and to regulate the activity of several signaling pathways that are themselves essential for normal development. These studies have not only uncovered novel fundamental processes in developmental biology, but also suggest new bases for certain congenital defects prevalent in the human population. In addition, these pathways and transcription factors play fundamental roles in several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and some leukemias.
Grant support
Past and present research in the group has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the March of Dimes Research Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Cancer Research Society.