Benjamin Nacev, MD PhD

Summary

My long-term goal is to understand how perturbation of chromatin regulators disrupts the epigenome to affect fundamental epigenetically controlled processes. To address this question, I study genetic alterations in chromatin regulators that occur in sarcomas and other solid tumors. By combining my experience in pharmacology, genetics, chromatin biology, and sarcoma medical oncology, I am focused on addressing three major questions: 1) What are the effects of newly recognized cancer-associated histone mutations? 2) How do sarcoma-associated genetic alterations in chromatin regulators affect chromatin organization and function? 3) How might these alterations be targeted therapeutically?

In addition, I care for adult patients with sarcoma as a medical oncologist. I strive to encourage collaboration between my clinical and basic science colleagues by bringing my knowledge of both spheres into my work with others. Within my own group's, my goal is to develop projects that ultimately allow us to translate our laboratory discoveries back to the clinic to help patients.