Pattra Chun-On

Telomerase is a unique reverse transcriptase that is responsible for maintaining telomeres. Telomerase reactivation has been implicated in human tumorigenesis. Somatic mutations in the TERT promoter are found in the majority of human melanomas and increase gene expression. A subset of melanomas do not contain TERT promoter mutations and the mechanism of telomere maintenance in these cells is unknown.

I am interested in the areas of medicine, hepatology, oncology, pulmonology, basic science in cancer genomics, and translational reseach. My Ph.D. research project focuses on telomere biology in cancer, how cancer cells can maintain their telomere length. I have a lot of experience in cellular biology especially in the wet laboratory.