Dr. Poliseno’s research has mostly been centered on non-coding RNAs (miRNA, pseudogenes, ceRNAS) and their respective roles in cancer. Recently, her lab has studied the coding and non-coding genetic network that regulates the BRAF and ERK kinase pathways in melanoma. Specifically, the inhibitory effects of the miR-204/miR-211 miRNAs on the BRAF pathway as a potential onco-suppresive agent. She has also studied the use of an attenuated L. monocytogenes, Lm(at)-LLO, as an antitumor agent potentially combining the effects of targeted and immunotherapeutic techniques. Dr. Poliseno aims to translate her findings in in vitro/in vivo melanoma models for related therapies.

Dr. Hillson has developed experimental wetware, software, and automated laboratory devices. He had recently created PIACE, a highly efficient chromosomal integration method to engineer metabolic pathways in bacteria. Nathan also worked to develop the patented j5 DNA Assembly Software to create scar-less plasmids by combining designed DNA oligos and cloning strategies such as SLIC and Gibson. Dr. Hillson aims to create these automated platforms to standardize microbial engineering, DNA construction, and sequence validation.