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Mitchell
J Weiss
Associate
Professor, Dept of Pediatrics
Genetics
and Gene Regulation Program
Address
316 Abramson Research Center
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
3615 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4318
Office tel.: 215 590-0565
Lab tel.: 215 590-0558
Fax: 215 590-4834
E-mail: weissmi@email.chop.edu
Education
Pennsylvania State University: B.S. (Biophysics), 1982.
University of Pennsylvania: Ph.D and M.D. (Genetics and Medicine),
1989.
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Research
Interests
- Developmental Hematopoiesis concentrating
on red blood cell and megakaryocyte lineages.
Key
words: Hematopoiesis, transcription
factor, erythropoiesis, hemoglobin, megakaryocyte.
Search PubMed for articles
Description
of Research
We are a molecular hematology lab that investigates
transcription factors in blood cell development. We use mutant
mice, embryonic stem cells and tissue culture cells to perform
our studies. We are interested in how DNA binding proteins
control the survival, proliferation and differentiation of
hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Our studies are relevant
to understanding both how normal blood cells form and mechanisms
of leukemic transformation. There are three major projects
in our lab.
- Studies of alpha hemoglobin stabilizing protein
(ASHP), a molecular chaperone involved in hemoglobin formation.
We are using biochemical and biophysical approaches to understand
how AHSP facilitates folding and stabilization of hemoglobin
proteins. In addition, we are studying the role of AHSP
as a genetic modifier of human thalassemias, a group of
common anemias found throughout the world.
- The role of transcription factor GATA-1 in
normal hematopoiesis. GATA-1 is a transcription factor necessary
for the development of numerous blood lineages including
erythrocytes (red blood cells) and platelets. Our studies
indicate that GATA-1 controls many genes, both known and
unknown, to promote blood cell formation. We are using numerous
technologies to define these genes and their mechanism of
regulation by GATA-1. Current experimental approaches include
gene expression microarrays, chromatin immunoprecipitation
(ChIP) and bioinformatics.
- The role of transcription factor GATA-1 in
leukemogenesis. Mutations in the GATA1 gene are associated
with a specific type of leukemia found commonly in patients
with Down’s Syndrome. We are interested in the molecular
mechanisms by which altered GATA1 promotes leukemia.
Recent
Publications
Kihm AJ, Kong Y, Hong W, Russell JE, Adachi
K, Blobel GA, Weiss MJ: An abundant erythroid protein that
stabilizes free alpha hemoglobin. Nature Vol. 417:
758-763, 2002.
Kong, Y. Zhou, S. Kihm. AJ, Katein, A.M., Gell,
D, Mackay, JP, Louden, CS, Gow, AJ, and Weiss, MJ: Loss of
alpha hemoglobin stabilizing protein impairs erythropoiesis
and exacerbates beta thalassemia. J. Clin. Invest.
Vol 114:1457-1466, 2004.
Feng L, Gell DA, Zhou S, Gu L, Kong Y, Li J,
Hu M, Yan N, Lee C, Rich A, Armstrong RS, Lay PA, Gow AJ,
Weiss MJ*, Mackay JP* and Shi Y*: Molecular mechanisms of
AHSP-mediated stabilization of alpha hemoglobin. Cell.
Vol 119: 629-640, 2004. *Co-corresponding authors.
Stachura DL, Chou ST and Weiss MJ: An early
block to erythro-megakaryocytic development conferred by loss
of transcription factor GATA-1. Blood. Vol 107:87-97,
2006.
Olson, AL, Stachura, DL and Weiss, MJ: Designer
blood: Generating hematopoietic lineages from murine and human
embryonic stem cells. Blood. Vol 107: 1265-1275,
2006.
Lab
Rotation
Projects for 2005-2006
Potential projects can be discussed with Dr.
Weiss.
- Lab
personnel:
- Stella Chou: postdoctoral fellow
Salim Darwich: undergraduate
Lou Dore: technician
David Stachura: graduate student
Java Tunson: undergraduate
Xiaomei Wang: postdoctoral fellow
Yu Yao: technician
Xiang (Mike) Yu: graduate student
Suiping Zhou: postdoctoral fellow
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last updated 3/2006
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