Andrea Kasinski

Title:

Professor

PhD Granting Institution:

Emory University

Contact:

Email Address: akasinski@purdue.edu
Office Phone: 6-1658
Lab Website Link: https://sites.google.com/view/kasinskilab/home

Primary Training Group:

Cancer Biology

Research Areas:

The goal of the Kasinski laboratory is to gain a better understanding of epigenetic processes in cancer, including the role of non-coding RNAs and to apply this knowledge to the development of RNA-based therapeutics.

Current Projects:

1. Small RNA Therapeutics - Tackling the holy grail of small RNA delivery, overcoming many of the challenges associated with achieving tumor-cell-specific delivery in the absence of unwanted toxicity. Increasing miRNAs stability to improve RNA-based therapeutics, using full chemical modification, which leads to reduced dosing, ultimately reducing cost and increasing patient compliance. 2. Extracellular Vesicle Biogenesis and RNA Loading - Identifying the mechanisms and biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including mechanisms involved in loading of RNAs into EVs. 3. Dynamics of Histone Methyltransferase Activity in Cancer - Understanding the contribution and dynamics of KMT5C in cancer and chemotherapeutic resistance.

Importance of Interdisciplinary Research:

Interdisciplinary research is critical to our success, enabling us to tackle challenges that span molecular design, cellular mechanisms, and genomic regulation. For our RNA therapeutic work, collaboration with chemists has been essential for optimizing stability and delivery of fully modified miRNAs. In our extracellular vesicle studies, we work with biophysicists to analyze EV composition and with bioinformaticians to evaluate RNA cargo. For our KMT5C project, we rely on computational biologists and bioinformaticians to interpret CUT&RUN data and identify genomic loci regulated by KMT5C. These cross-disciplinary efforts, both on campus and globally, drive innovation and translational impact.