Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Termini aims to improve the success of hematopoietic stem cell transplants, which are used in the curative treatment of the majority of patients with leukemia or lymphoma. Prior to transplant, patients must undergo radiation therapy to decrease the number of cancerous blood cells. In order for hematopoietic stem cells to effectively repopulate the blood and immune systems of the transplant recipient, the stem cells must reach the bone marrow where they can expand. Her research focuses on how radiation regulates the abundance of molecules called proteoglycans within the bone marrow and how this impacts stem cell repopulation following transplant. Using in vivo transplantation models and super-resolution microscopy techniques, she will visualize and quantify how proteoglycans regulate stem cell interactions with the bone marrow. Her aim is to identify molecular targets that can be used to accelerate patient recovery following transplantation.