Dr. Alan Friedman, a Professor of Oncology and Pediatrics from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

The topic of Dr. Friedman talk is “Transcriptional Control of Myeloid Lineage Development and Tumor Macrophage Polarization”. The presentation will take place in room C5621 (Lecture Room B), April 26 from noon to 1pm. Lunch is provided.

Dr. Friedman investigates mechanisms through which normal proteins control the formation of bone marrow stem cells and how these stem cells then develop into neutrophils and monocytes. He is also studying how normal bone marrow cells become transformed into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In conducting these studies he focuses on two proteins, RUNX1 and C/EBPa, which regulate normal bone marrow development but are also commonly mutated in AML. Dr. Friedman is attempting to build on his basic research to develop useful clinical applications. In particular, he is pursuing small molecules that interfere with the action of leukemic RUNX1 or C/EBPa proteins as potential novel therapies for AML. His lab is investigating means to expand normal blood stem cells to benefit patients with marrow failure or those many patients receiving chemotherapy who would benefit from blood product support to avoid anemia, bleeding, and infections.