Rasmussen Lab
The Rasmussen Lab is dedicated to investigating the role that Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) has in the cellular transcriptome of pediatric tumors.
HERVs are ubiquitous genetic elements, resulting from ancient retroviral infections of the human genome. Known to comprise approximately 8% of the human genome, the rapid advancement of our understanding of their presence has been aided by improvements in RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology.
In prior work, Dr. Rasmussen demonstrated that HERV-K (HML-2) is differentially expressed in hepatoblastomas. However, neither the exact role of HERV-K (HML-2) nor its expression in other pediatric tumors have been described yet. Her laboratory is committed to leveraging the unique resources of the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) and the Institute of Genomic Medicine (IGM) to analyze the HERV-K expression in hepatoblastomas, neuroblastomas, and Wilms tumors. Further understanding of HERV-K expression profile in these pediatric tumors will advance understanding of this important biologic entity and expose potential new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, which are greatly needed in pediatric oncology.
Our Current Projects
Our lab's current projects include:
- Differences in HERVs-K expression between early transplant rejectors vs non-rejectors (online data bank). Cooperative study with the University of Pittsburgh.
- Rec vector in immortalized hepatic cells. Cooperative study with the University of Virginia, Dr Brigstock Lab, and The Ohio State University.
- Genomic Characterization of HERV-K (HML2) in pediatric tumors from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network.
- Genomic Characterization of HERV-K (HML2) in pediatric tumors from the IGM Cancer Protocol.
Featured Publications
- Utilization of non-viral sequences for minus-strand DNA transfer and gene reconstitution during retroviral replication
- A novel retroviral vector system to analyze expression from mRNA with retained introns using fluorescent proteins and flow cytometry
- Upregulation of human endogenous retrovirus-K (HML-2) mRNAs in hepatoblastoma: Identification of potential new immunotherapeutic targets and biomarkers
- Human endogenous retrovirus-K mRNA expression and genomic alignment data in hepatoblastoma
- Close to the Bedside: A Systematic Review of Endogenous Retroviruses and Their Impact in Oncology
We're Recruiting!
The Rasmussen Lab is looking for motivated, curious and dedicated undergraduate students to join our lab.
Join Our Journal Club
Our group meets once a month to critically evaluate recent scientific publications about HERVs. Email us to join and be included in the mailing list.
