Institute of Genetic Medicine
The Role of WT1 in haematopoiesis and leukaemia.
Supervisor: Dr Colin Miles
Mutations in the Wilms’ tumour suppressor gene, WT1, are found in ~15% of acute myeloid leukaemias, whilst over 70% of all leukaemias have high levels of WT1, implying that WT1 is a key genetic component of leukaemia and, therefore, is likely to play an important role in normal haematopoiesis. WT1 targeted leukaemia therapies are being explored although the role of WT1 in normal haematopoiesis and leukaemia is not known. This project will make use of a novel “knockout” model in which we have recently shown aberrant blood cell development results from mutation of WT1. Molecular and cellular techniques will be employed to dissect the function of WT1 in haematopoiesis and leukaemia in order to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms by which WT1 is involved in leukaemia.
For review see: Rosenfeld, Cheever & Gaiger (2003). Leukemia 17, 1301–1312.
