What we study
Research
The Lan Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms that connect RNA biology, R-loops, DNA repair, genome stability, and cancer immunity. By uncovering how these pathways shape tumor development, immune responses, and therapeutic vulnerabilities, we aim to translate fundamental discoveries into biomarkers, novel drug targets, small-molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degraders, and precision therapeutic strategies for cancer.
Five programs carry that work. Each one stands on its own, and each one feeds the next.
RNA & R-loop-Dependent DNA Repair
Defining how RNA and RNA modifications regulate DNA repair and genome maintenance.Replication Stress & Genome Stability
Understanding how transcription, replication, and DNA repair intersect in cancer.Telomere Biology & Genome Maintenance
Understanding how cancer cells maintain chromosome ends and exploit telomere-maintenance pathways.cGAS, Genome Surveillance & Cancer Immunity
Connecting genome instability and DNA damage with innate immunity and tumor-immune interactions.Cancer Drug Development & Precision Therapeutics
Translating discoveries in genome maintenance and RNA biology into new therapeutic strategies for cancer.
From Mechanism to Therapy
Discover
New genome-maintenance pathways
Understand
RNA, R-loops and DNA repair mechanisms
Target
Cancer-specific dependencies
Translate
Biomarkers and new therapeutics
Mechanisms we study
Opportunities we pursue