Lawrenson Lab
Research in the Lawrenson Laboratory focuses on the interplay between the transcriptome and the epigenome in ovarian cancer development and progression.
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer in developed countries, and there is a critical need to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disease. Research in the Lawrenson Laboratory explores the pathways and mechanisms upstream of the genes deregulated in cancer, as a novel approach to identifying targetable vulnerabilities in cancer. The idea is that by understanding how cancer genes become deregulated, the lab might be better equipped to design rational and more potent approaches to disease treatment.
The Lawrenson Lab has a particular focus on studying the role of specific transcription factors, such as PAX8, to glean insight into transcriptional deregulation and the histotype-specific cellular origins of this disease. In addition, the lab develops novel technologies to study long noncoding RNAs that become deregulated during ovarian cancer development.
The Lawrenson Laboratory is affiliated with the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and Women's Cancer Program.
Personal Statement
I have been involved in women’s cancer research for more than 10 years. The Lawrenson Laboratory focuses on ovarian cancer and ways to detect ovarian cancers earlier and treat these tumors more effectively. In the Lawrenson Lab, a variety of in vitro models, in vivo models, genomic profiling and molecular biology techniques are used to elucidate the function of variants, genes and noncoding biofeatures involved in ovarian cancer development.
Kate Lawrenson, PhD
The Lawrenson Labotary is studying the following:
- Transcription factor circuitries in ovarian cancer
- Characterizing the lncRNA landscape of ovarian cancer
- Elucidating the function of risk and somatic variants associated with ovarian cancer
- Identifying novel therapeutic approaches for women's cancers
- Discovering molecular drivers and clinical biomarkers for endometriosis
Collaborations
Internal
- Cancer Institute
- Gynecology
- Obstetrics/Maternity
- Women's Cancer Program
- Prevention and Control Program
External
- Matthew L. Freedman, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Paulette Y. Mhawech Fauceglia, MD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC)
- Ovarian Tumor Tissue Analysis Consortium
- Paul D. Pharoah, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK
Meet Our Team
Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators and other healthcare professionals of the Lawrenson Laboratory, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Publications
Gusev A*, Lawrenson K*, Lin X, Lyra PC, Kar S, Vavra KC, Segato F, Fonseca MAS, Lee JM, Pejovic T, Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium, et al.
Prendergast EN, de Souza Fonseca MA, Dezem FS, Lester J, Karlan BY, Noushmehr H, Lin X, Lawrenson K.
PLOS One. 2018 May 8;13(5):e0196913.
Adler EK, Corona RI, Lee JM, Rodriguez-Malave N, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Sowter H, Hazelett DJ, Lawrenson K, Gayther SA.
Oncotarget. 2017 Nov 27;8(65):108316-108332.
Contact the Lawrenson Lab
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Davis Building, Third Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90048