The Willman Laboratory

Cheryl Willman's research group focuses primarily on pairing the molecular characterization of acute leukemias with highly specific targeted therapies. The bulk of this characterization work centers on the identification of unique leukemia gene expression patterns that reflect specific underlying genetic events. Many of these events involve disruptions in a family of genes that may be targeted with high specificity.

In addition to the ongoing research, the team also performs testing in the Center for Molecular and Cellular Diagnostics (CMCD). CMCD is a CLIA-compliant clinical laboratory that conducts gene expression testing for the Ph-like subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a historically poor-outcome category of leukemia. The lab performs this testing as part of several ongoing clinical trials aimed at developing and applying improved targeted therapies for childhood and adult ALL patients.