Alan Mullen, M.D., Ph.D.
Physician Investigator (Cl) Gastroenterology, Mass General Research Institute |
Associate Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School |
Assistant In Medicine Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital |
Principal Faculty Harvard Stem Cell Institute |
MD University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 2004 |
Research Interests
Research Narrative
We study how long noncoding RNAs regulate the differentiation of embryonic stem cells towards definitive endoderm (the first step in development towards the liver and gastrointestinal system), and we study how long noncoding RNAs regulate liver fibrosis. We use genetic approaches to study loss of function through RNA interference and gene disruption using the CRISPR-Cas system and couple this with biochemical approaches to identify the partners that interact with these long noncoding RNAs.
In the liver, we study how long noncoding RNAs regulate the fibrotic activity of hepatic stellate cells, the primary cell type responsible for production of the fibrotic scar in chronic liver disease. Through these studies, we have also developed approaches to screen for compounds that inhibit the fibrotic phenotype in hepatic stellate cells as well as coding and noncoding genes that are required to maintain the fibrotic phenotype in hepatic stellate cells. These approaches will allow us to better understand the function of long noncoding RNAs and develop new therapies to inhibit liver fibrosis.
Mullen Lab
Publications
Clinical Profile
acmullen@mgh.harvard.edu |
Blake Building 273 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114 |