H. Blair

Gene regulatory network analysis predicts cooperating transcription factor regulons required for FLT3-ITD+ AML growth

The paper identifies critical transcription factor regulons in FLT3-ITD+ AML by analyzing gene regulatory networks and shows their necessity for AML growth.

Tunnelling nanotubules are druggable mediators of cancer-niche crosstalk.

This paper develops a prototype bone marrow-like extracellular matrix and shows that tunnelling nanotubes between leukemia cells and mesenchymal stromal cells are druggable, leading to a triple drug combination with high efficacy.

Leukemic stem cells hijack lineage inappropriate signalling pathways to promote their growth

This study identifies VEGF and IL-5 signalling pathways as aberrantly activated in t(8;21) leukemic stem cells, enabling their growth and relapse.

A human mesenchymal spheroid prototype to replace moderate severity animal procedures in leukaemia drug testing

This paper develops a human mesenchymal spheroid platform to replace animal testing in leukemia drug testing, showing faster results and better modeling of treatment resistance.

Nanoparticle-mediated Targeting of the Fusion Gene RUNX1/ETO in t(8;21)-positive Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

This study uses siRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles to target the RUNX1/ETO fusion gene in t(8;21)-AML, showing improved survival and long-term inhibition of leukaemic growth.

An ex vivo human bone marrow milieu identifies CDH2 as a driver of niche-mediated treatment resistance in leukaemia

This study identifies CDH2 as a driver of niche-mediated treatment resistance in leukemia and shows that ADH-1 can effectively target this resistance in preclinical models.

A MALDI-TOF assay identifies nilotinib as an inhibitor of inflammation in acute myeloid leukaemia

This study identifies nilotinib as an anti-inflammatory drug using a MALDI-TOF assay in AML-derived monocytes, showing it inhibits the p38-MK2/3 signaling axis.

Female mice exposed to low-doses of dioxin during pregnancy and lactation have increased susceptibility to diet-induced obesity and diabetes

This study shows that low-dose dioxin exposure during pregnancy and lactation in mice increases susceptibility to diet-induced obesity and diabetes later in life.

Pex11 β knockdown decreases peroxisome abundance and reverses the inhibitory effect of palmitate on pancreatic beta-cell function.

This study shows that reducing Pex11β decreases peroxisomes and reverses palmitate's negative impact on beta-cell function.

Long-term metabolic consequences of acute dioxin exposure differ between male and female mice

This study examines the long-term metabolic effects of acute dioxin exposure in male and female mice, revealing sex-dependent differences in insulin levels and beta cell function.