Crispino, John D PHD

Children with Down syndrome, who have three copies of chromosome 21, face a 500-fold increased risk of developing acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and a 20-fold increased risk of pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Our research will uncover the mechanisms by which three copies of two genes on chromosome 21, the kinase DYRK1A and the chromatin assembly factor CHAF1B, contribute to normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Our work will also aid in the development of new, targeted therapies for these leukemias.