Allison Siegenfeld, MS, PhD
Understanding a Tiny RNA Modification with an Outsized Function in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Summary
A hallmark of cancer is the dysregulation of messenger RNA levels. Messenger RNA (mRNA) harbors the instructions to make the proteins that perform essential functions in the cell. Small chemical modifications to mRNA can impact protein production through mechanisms that are intensely debated. We study the most common mRNA modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is overabundant in cancer. Notably, a drug that blocks m6A modifications has entered clinical trials to treat cancer, raising great interest in better understanding how m6A influences the RNA lifecycle. My research combines fast-acting clinically relevant drugs that target m6A with cutting-edge techniques to measure the drugs’ impact on mRNA synthesis, maturation, and stability. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the effects of m6A, my work aims to clarify the mechanism of action of the promising m6A inhibitors and propose new therapeutic strategies.
I am honored to receive a PhRMA Foundation Fellowship to support my postdoctoral training. This award will give me the freedom to learn new techniques and delve into the biological mechanisms of an emerging class of cancer therapeutics.
