Research Projects
2025
Wildcat 2.0
Leveraging optical genome mapping (OGM) through Bionano Genomics to characterize complex structural variants (SVs) and improve genomic resolution beyond conventional cytogenetics, such as karyotyping, FISH, and microarrays. The second phase will evaluate the clinical utility of OGM and build a multi-institutional SV database for hematological malignancies.
GO2 Lung Turnaround time (TAT)
Comparing next generation sequencing (NGS) testing turnaround time of NSCLC specimens by standard of care (SOC) to in-house Thermo Fisher Genexus NGS testing in the community setting.
1Cell.AI (formerly OneCell Diagnostics)
2024 and earlier
SARS2 Seroprevalence and Respiratory Tract Assessment (SPARTA)
The goal of this project is to understand the immune responses that emerge in response to this Sars-COV-2 infection in health care workers and their immediate families.
Understanding the role of JAK inhibition (with Ruxolitinib) on the Donor T-cell population
The goal of this project is to investigate by pulsing donor cells with Ruxolitinib in the presence or absence of G-CSF, donor cells do not cause GVHD or cause only minor GVHD after transplantation.
Shaping the future of hereditary cancer testing in minorities
The major goal is to sequence 86 hereditary cancer genes on paired tumor/blood (germline) samples of all patients with solid tumors who undergo their surgery at AU Medical Center. While universal paired testing of tumor and blood (germline) provides direct clinical value to patients, we propose to study whether we can define and overcome minority barriers among Georgia Cancer Center patients.
Clinical validation of Saphyr technology for the identification of constitutional genomic variants in a pediatric neurodevelopmental cohort.
The goal of this study is to determine the performance of optical genome mapping as it compares to results from a standard of care genetic testing by chromosomal microarray, or karyotyping, or FISH. Concordance of results will be documented and analyzed in a pediatric neurodevelopmental cohort.
Validation of optical genome mapping (OGM) technology for the identification of constitutional genomic variants in a multisite prenatal study.
The goal of this study is to determine the performance of optical genome mapping as it compares to results from a standard of care genetic testing by chromosomal microarray, karyotyping or FISH. Concordance of results will be documented and analyzed in prenatal cases.
Cellular Heterogeneity and Tumor Microenvironment in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Disparities
The goal of this project is to develop innovative therapeutic strategies targeting tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which disproportionally affects African American and other minority populations. We hypothesize that differential cellular subpopulations comprising tumor cells and the TME may contribute to disparate TNBC prevalence and treatment outcomes.
Clinical validation of Optical Genome Mapping for the identification of somatic genomic variants in hematological malignancies.
The goal of this study is to determine the performance of optical genome mapping as it compares to results from a standard of care genetic testing by chromosomal microarray, karyotyping or FISH in hematological malignancies.