Bio
The Dow lab investigates the initiation, progression and response of colorectal cancer using in vivo animal model systems and ex vivo organotypic cultures. In collaboration with labs at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, we have pioneered the development of next-generation technologies for animal studies, such as regulated miRNA-based shRNAs and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We use these tools to generate tailored pre-clinical models based on genetic alterations frequently observed in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigate how genetic context and local environmental cues such as inflammation, influence the onset, progression and therapeutic response of CRC. By defining the critical drivers of cancer we aim to design strategies for more effective patient treatment.