Ignatius Lab

Myron Ignatius, PhD
Rank: Assistant Professor
Department: Molecular Medicine
Office: 3.100.12
Tel: 210-562-9030
ignatius@uthscsa.edu:
Discover novel treatments in relapsed pediatric cancer by defining tumor heterogeneity and its effect on self-renewal and metastasis.
Lab Research
Expertise
- Zebrafish Cancer Models and genetics
- Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma research
- Stem Cell Biology
Research
The Ignatius laboratory is interested in understanding the effects of tumor heterogeneity on relapse and resistance to therapies in Rhabdomyosarcoma and other sarcomas. Relapse is a significant problem in the clinic where less than 40% of patients with relapse will survive their disease. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric malignancy of the muscle that is also the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Specifically, the Ignatius laboratory will study tumorigenic cell populations that self-renew and metastasize using a combination of zebrafish, murine xenograft, and human cell culture systems.
In addition to research on rhabdomyosarcoma, the Ignatius laboratory has also generated new syngeneic zebrafish models of aggressive Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors, and hemangiosarcomas for which there are no effective treatments. Our research will uncover critical molecular pathways that modulate Tumor propagating cell numbers and the plasticity of the cancer stem cell state. A unique and innovative aspect of our research is the ability to visualize in live animals the evolution of tumors and to model the effects of patient-specific changes on tumor dynamics. Research in the laboratory will combine sequencing platforms with zebrafish tumor models to identify new genes or pathways that drive relapse intending to identify nodes to target with personalized medicines in children with relapsed cancer.
Lab Staff
Anil Kumar Challa, PhD
Visiting Scientist
Jiangfei Chen, PhD
Visiting Scientist
Nichole Hensch
Graduate Research Assistant (PhD student, CGM)
Greehey Graduate Fellowship
Paulomi Modi
PhD Student
Hemalatha Ponnanancha
Animal Care Technician
Prethish Sreenivas, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Long Wang, MD
Research Scientist
Featured News
Kunal Baxi, PhD to receive Translational Science Training (TST) TL1 award. (Ignatius Lab)
- NAR Cancer: The 3D Chromatin Landscape of Rhabdomyosarcoma (Ignatius Lab) June 16, 2023
- Paulomi Modi (Ignatius Lab) Recognized as 2023 Presidential Ambassador Scholar May 8, 2023
- Molecular Cancer Theraputics: Sensitization to Ionizing Radiation by MEK Inhibition Is Dependent on SNAI2 in Fusion-Negative Rhabdomyosarcoma (Ignatius, Vaseva, Houghton Labs) January 3, 2023
News
News
- WNDU, TV in South Bend, Ind (via Ivanhoe Network):
Cancer researchers turn to small fish to save lives - WJMN, Northern Michigan, (via Ivanhoe Network):
Fighting Cancer - NBC, DFW (via Ivanhoe Network)
Zebrafish Used in Fight Against Childhood Cancer. - Ivanhoe Network:
Kennedie & Zebrafish Fight Cancer Together - FYI: About Ivanhoe Network:
“We are the country’s largest news-gathering organization covering medical breakthroughs, family health, and issues relevant to women. The information we provide is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. - SA Express-News
Zebrafish help UT Health researcher find treatments for childhood cancers - TPR:(With audio)
Zebrafish May Help Scientists Find New Cancer Treatments - UT Health SA Newsroom:
Surprising finding using the zebrafish model explains how recurring cancer may resist treatment