Kyle Scheller
Graduate Student, Biomedical Sciences Program-Cancer Biology Concentration
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland malignancy. While lifestyle factors such as smoking and viral infections are linked to some cancers, their role in MEC remains unclear, highlighting the need to better understand its underlying biology. At the heart of MEC is a chromosomal rearrangement that fuses two genes to produce an abnormal fusion protein, CRTC1-MAML2. Our lab discovered that this fusion protein forms liquid-like droplets in the cell nucleus through a mechanism similar to how oil and vinegar separate when making a salad dressing. These droplets, known as condensates, permanently switch on the expression of cancer-promoting genes, hijacking normal cell behavior and driving tumor growth. By understanding how these condensates form and function, we hope to uncover new therapeutic strategies to disrupt them and suppress MEC, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.
Kyle Scheller is a PhD candidate in the Dept. of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology. He earned a B.S. in Microbiology & Cell Science from the University of Florida in 2020 and is now a 4th-year PhD candidate in the Cancer Biology concentration of the Biomedical Sciences Program at UF. His main research interests lie at the intersection of molecular biology and cancer biology, with a focus on better understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer development and identifying targets for new therapeutics.
Core Standards
SC.912.L.16.3
Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic information
SC.912.L.16.5
Explain the basic processes of transcription and translation, and how they result in the expression of genes.
SC.912.L.16.6
Discuss the mechanisms for regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes at transcription and translation level
SC.912.L.16.10
Evaluate the impact of biotechnology on the individual, society and the environment, including medical and ethical issues.
SC.912.L.16.8
Explain the relationship between mutation, cell cycle, and uncontrolled cell growth potentially resulting in cancer.
SC.912.L.16.4
Explain how mutations in the DNA sequence may or may not result in phenotypic change. Explain how mutations in gametes may result in phenotypic changes in offspring
