ChaiHeroStory
Stritch Professor Valerie Chai researches genome instability in cancer cell development
Professor and researcher Dr. Valerie Chai in her lab.
How do cancer cells manage instability and how can repair pathways protect the genome and stabilize it?
Interview by Naomi Gitlin
For Department of Cancer Biology Professor Weihang “Valerie” Chai, PhD, pursuing a career in cancer research is personal. In this interview, learn more about Professor Chai, who joined Loyola and started her lab during COVID-19.
How did you develop an interest in cancer research?
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and I knew several other people who developed various cancers like pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, and lung caner. When I was in graduate school and then as a post-doc, my interest in understanding cancer grew. I was eager to understand how cancers form and develop. Can we prevent cancer? The more you know about cancer cells and how they function, the more tools you will have to develop additional therapies.
Tell us about your research.
My lab seeks to understand the molecular mechanism underlying genome instability in cancer cells. We look at how cancer cells manage instability and how repair pathways can protect the genome and stabilize it. This research has applications in all types of cancer.
More specifically, we integrate next-generation sequencing, molecular biology, and cellular imaging methods to understand the molecular mechanisms protecting genome stability. As cells divide (replicate), the genome (DNA molecules within cells that serve as a cell’s “instructions”) is vulnerable to damage. During the DNA replication process, it’s not uncommon for obstacles (either natual byproducts of cellular activities, environmental hazards, or even some of the foods we eat) to slow, stall, or disrupt the process; we call this “replication stress.” Cells typically have robust repair systems to fix the genomic damages caused by replication stress. If a cell does not efficiently repair damage, mutations will accumulate and lead to genetic changes, which can turn a normal cell into cancerous cell. Understanding these mechanisms helps researchers learn more about how cancer cells are formed.
In terms of cancer therapies, we know that the majority of chemotherapeutic agents kill cancer cells by damaging DNA, but they also hurt normal, non-cancer cells. Recent research shows that many cancer cells host mutations in DNA repair genes. Using a targeted approach, where we prevent the cancer cell from repairing damage, we can develop a mechanism to sensitize a cancer cell to chemo drugs, therefore killing cancer more effectively while minimizing the damage to normal cells. This can lead to better prognoses.
Tell us about your lab.
The Chai lab has three post-docs, two research scientists, and a research specialist. In 2021 and 2022, three Stritch students rotated in my lab each year. In 2022, I also had a summer intern -- a highly motivated high school senior who is continuing his research in our lab after his internship.
What attracted you to Loyola?
I wanted to grow my cancer research program and Loyola was a really good fit. In the Department of Cancer Biology, everyone is focused on cancer and I knew I could learn from my colleagues and contribute to our shared knowledge. When I interviewed at Loyola, I felt my future colleagues were very collegial. People help each other and are very supportive. Faculty here are doing exciting cancer research and I foresee collaborative opportunities with them.
Which external funding sources support your research?
Our research is primarily supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH). I joined Loyola with two R01 grants. In 2022, I received one R21 grant from NIH in Environmental Health Sciences, and I received the confirmation that a new R01 will be awarded and start in January 2023.
January 2023
How do cancer cells manage instability and how can repair pathways protect the genome and stabilize it?
Interview by Naomi Gitlin
For Department of Cancer Biology Professor Weihang “Valerie” Chai, PhD, pursuing a career in cancer research is personal. In this interview, learn more about Professor Chai, who joined Loyola and started her lab during COVID-19.
How did you develop an interest in cancer research?
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and I knew several other people who developed various cancers like pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, and lung caner. When I was in graduate school and then as a post-doc, my interest in understanding cancer grew. I was eager to understand how cancers form and develop. Can we prevent cancer? The more you know about cancer cells and how they function, the more tools you will have to develop additional therapies.
Tell us about your research.
My lab seeks to understand the molecular mechanism underlying genome instability in cancer cells. We look at how cancer cells manage instability and how repair pathways can protect the genome and stabilize it. This research has applications in all types of cancer.
More specifically, we integrate next-generation sequencing, molecular biology, and cellular imaging methods to understand the molecular mechanisms protecting genome stability. As cells divide (replicate), the genome (DNA molecules within cells that serve as a cell’s “instructions”) is vulnerable to damage. During the DNA replication process, it’s not uncommon for obstacles (either natual byproducts of cellular activities, environmental hazards, or even some of the foods we eat) to slow, stall, or disrupt the process; we call this “replication stress.” Cells typically have robust repair systems to fix the genomic damages caused by replication stress. If a cell does not efficiently repair damage, mutations will accumulate and lead to genetic changes, which can turn a normal cell into cancerous cell. Understanding these mechanisms helps researchers learn more about how cancer cells are formed.
In terms of cancer therapies, we know that the majority of chemotherapeutic agents kill cancer cells by damaging DNA, but they also hurt normal, non-cancer cells. Recent research shows that many cancer cells host mutations in DNA repair genes. Using a targeted approach, where we prevent the cancer cell from repairing damage, we can develop a mechanism to sensitize a cancer cell to chemo drugs, therefore killing cancer more effectively while minimizing the damage to normal cells. This can lead to better prognoses.
Tell us about your lab.
The Chai lab has three post-docs, two research scientists, and a research specialist. In 2021 and 2022, three Stritch students rotated in my lab each year. In 2022, I also had a summer intern -- a highly motivated high school senior who is continuing his research in our lab after his internship.
What attracted you to Loyola?
I wanted to grow my cancer research program and Loyola was a really good fit. In the Department of Cancer Biology, everyone is focused on cancer and I knew I could learn from my colleagues and contribute to our shared knowledge. When I interviewed at Loyola, I felt my future colleagues were very collegial. People help each other and are very supportive. Faculty here are doing exciting cancer research and I foresee collaborative opportunities with them.
Which external funding sources support your research?
Our research is primarily supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH). I joined Loyola with two R01 grants. In 2022, I received one R21 grant from NIH in Environmental Health Sciences, and I received the confirmation that a new R01 will be awarded and start in January 2023.
January 2023