Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is a receptor that plays an important role in colon cancer biology. Previous studies have observed a high presence of STING in stem cells found in the colon, with STING being very specific to adenoma cells in both humans and mice. Structures known as crypts, which line the colon, contain a niche with stem cells that divide and differentiate. These stem cells are signaled to differentiate and move upwards in the crypt in response to a gradient of various morphogens such as Wnt, a signaling protein, as well as STING. Exploring the effects of overexpressing or knocking out STING will bring to light the function of STING in colon cancer initiation. Throughout my co-op experience in the Hahn Lab, my project will aim to study the function of STING in the transition between normal physiological stemness and tumor differentiation, as well as explore the factors that regulate STING expression. Additionally, previous studies have observed that in response to damage, differentiated cells will revert to a fetal state. Once these cells reach a fetal state, they are able to progress into adult stem cells. I will also be working on a project that focuses on the mechanisms that cause these adult colonic cells to de-differentiate into fetal cells after damage (such as exposure to radiation) to the colon.
Northeastern University
