Dr Andrejs Braun
PhD, FHEA, FIBMS
Reader in Genome Regulation
Group Leader
Research Focus
Our group is interested in epigenetic regulation of somatic mutagenesis in normal and malignant B cells. Specifically, we aim to understand how alterations in the nuclear envelope influence B cell chromatin conformation, and what the epigenetic consequences of these alterations are.
Key Publications
Lamin B1 regulates somatic mutations and progression of B-cell malignancies. Leukemia (2018) 32(2):364-375. PMID: 28804121
Autophagy mediates degradation of nuclear lamina. Nature (2015) 527(7576):105-9. PMID: 26524528
Lysosome-mediated processing of chromatin in senescence. J Cell Biol (2013) 202(1):129-43. PMID: 23816621
Novel type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (GA101) evokes homotypic adhesion and actin-dependent, lysosome-mediated cell death in B-cell malignancies. Blood (2011) 117(17):4519-29. PMID: 21378274
Monoclonal antibodies directed to CD20 and HLA-DR can elicit homotypic adhesion followed by lysosome-mediated cell death in human lymphoma and leukemia cells. J Clin Invest (2009) 119(8):2143-59. PMID: 1962078
Major Funding
- 2019-2022- Blood Cancer UK, Lamin B1-mediated genomic instability in leukaemia and lymphoma, £229,104
- Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
- Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund
Other Activities
- Director of Education (Postgraduate Taught Programmes), Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Deputy Chair of Academic Misconduct Panel, Academic Registry and Council Secretariat, Queen Mary University of London
- Course Director: MSc Cancer and Therapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Module lead: Cancer Biology. Nanchang University/Queen Mary Joint Programme
- Module lead: Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy of Haematological Malignancies, Barts Cancer Institute MSc courses
Themes/Keywords
Research
Our group is interested in epigenetic regulation of somatic mutagenesis in normal and malignant B cells. Specifically, we aim to understand how alterations in the nuclear envelope influence B cell chromatin conformation, and what the epigenetic consequences of these alterations are.
At a systemic level, we are interested in how the lamina-associated chromatin domain (LAD) dynamics influence normal adaptive immunity, and whether dysregulation of this mechanism leads to autoimmunity and cancer.
From a translational perspective, we are aiming to develop novel therapeutic strategies to target nuclear lamina, establishing a new generation of treatment modalities of malignant lymphoma.
Other Activities
- Director of Education (Postgraduate Taught Programmes), Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Deputy Chair of Academic Misconduct Panel, Academic Registry and Council Secretariat, Queen Mary University of London
- Course Director: MSc Cancer and Therapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Module lead: Cancer Biology. Nanchang University/Queen Mary Joint Programme
- Module lead: Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy of Haematological Malignancies, Barts Cancer Institute MSc courses
Major Funding
- 2019-2022- Blood Cancer UK, Lamin B1-mediated genomic instability in leukaemia and lymphoma, £229,104
- Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
- Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund
- Barry Reed Cancer Trust
- “Bolashak” fellowship programme, Republic of Kazakhstan
Recent Publications
Multi-platform profiling characterizes molecular subgroups and resistance networks in chronic lymphocytic leukemia Bloehdorn J, Braun A, Taylor-Weiner A et al. Nature Communications (2021) 12(1)
Rituximab and obinutuzumab differentially hijack the B-cell receptor and NOTCH1 signaling pathways. Edelmann J, Dokal AD, Vilventhraraja E et al. iScience (2021) (1) 102089-102089
Multiplatform Profiling Characterizes Functional Networks in Genomically Stable and Instable Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Bloehdorn J, Braun A, Jebaraj BMC et al. Blood (2020) 136(1) 12-13
Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies Hijack the B-Cell Receptor Signaling Cascade Thereby Activating the NOTCH1 Signaling Pathway Edelmann J, Britton DJ, Vilventhraraja E et al. Blood (2018) 132(1) 588-588
Lamin B1 regulates somatic mutations and progression of B-cell malignancies. Klymenko T, Bloehdorn J, Bahlo J et al. Leukemia 32(1) 364-375
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28804121
NUCLEAR LAMINA REGULATES SOMATIC HYPERMUTATION AND PROGRESSION OF B CELL MALIGNANCIES Klymenko T, Bloehdorn J, Bahlo J et al. HAEMATOLOGICA (2017) 102(1) 228-228
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000404127002077&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=612ae0d773dcbdba3046f6df545e9f6a
ONCOGENE-EXPRESSING SENESCENT MELANOCYTES UPREGULATE MHC CLASS II, A CANDIDATE MELANOMA SUPPRESSOR FUNCTION BRAUNS A Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1)
In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ΔCT7544-7545 Mutant NOTCH1 Maintains Transcription Factor Activity with Longer Lasting Effects Due to Slower Degradation Edelmann J, Klymenko T, Lu C et al. Blood (2016) 128(1) 971-971
Mammalian autophagy degrades nuclear constituents in response to tumorigenic stress. Dou Z, Ivanov A, Adams PD et al. Autophagy (2016) 12(1) 1416-1417
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26654219
Autophagy mediates degradation of nuclear lamina Dou Z, Xu C, Donahue G et al. Nature (2015) 527(7) 105-109
For additional publications, please click here
Postdoctoral ResearchersBiography
- Sept 2013 – present Lecturer, Centre for Haemato-Oncology. Barts Cancer Institute. Queen Mary, University of London.
- Apr 2009 – Sept 2013. Postdoctoral Research Associate. Beatson Institute for Cancer Research. University of Glasgow, Glasgow. UK.
- Jun 2004 – Sept 2008. Cancer Research UK PhD studentship. Paterson Institute for Cancer Research. University of Manchester.
- Nov 2002 – Jun 2004. Visiting Research Fellow. Cancer Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton. UK