Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering

Seminar Series

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

9:30-10:20am

MJIS 1001 or Via Zoom:

https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/95150439811?pwd=a3hOK0o0bmpkS3poTVBCbVhDNU9FZz09

 The Role of PP2A in the Regulation of Pancreatic Cancer

Initiation and Progression

Brittany Allen-Petersen, PhD.

Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences

Purdue University

Abstract: Pancreatic cancer is predicted to become the 2^nd leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030. KRAS is the most frequently mutated gene in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients (~90%) and has been shown to contribute to a variety of tumor characteristics. In this presentation we will present data implicating Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as a key regulator of KRAS phenotypes. We demonstrate that suppression of PP2A accelerates PDAC initiation and progression, and that the therapeutic activation of PP2A can prevent nutrient scavenging to drive cancer cell death.

Bio: Dr. Brittany Allen-Petersen is an Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Purdue University. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and completed an NCI F31 funded postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University. The Allen-Petersen lab broadly focuses on the deregulation of phosphatases in cancer using a variety of models, including 3D culture, in vivo mouse models, and treatment with novel small molecule activators of PP2A. Dr. Allen-Petersen has funding through an NCI K22 Transition Career Development Award and a Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Career Award.

~BME Faculty Host: Dr. Luis Solorio ~