Our researchers

Michael Witcher, PhD

Cancer

Cancer, Epigenetics, Therapeutics

Senior Investigator, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research
Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, McGill University
Associate Member, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University

Contact details

(514) 340-8222 ext. 23363

michael.witcher@mcgill.ca

Assistant contact details

Tiejun Zhao,
(514) 340-8222 ext. 23439
tizhao@yahoo.com

Snapshot

Epigenetic processes play a central role in controlling cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. We aim to understand how deregulation of epigenetic processes influence tumor growth and metastasis in breast and ovarian cancers. We employ genomic approaches to map epigenetic factors across cancer genomes. By doing so, deregulation of key oncogenic networks are often revealed. Using this information, we strive to rationally predict new therapeutic interventions that will restore the epigenome to normalcy, thereby reversing the potential of cancer cells to grow or metastasize.

Important Links :

Major Research Activities

Epigenetic processes play a central role in controlling cell survival and differentiation. Our lab is focused on understanding how deregulation of epigenetic processes in breast and ovarian cancers lead to tumor growth and metastasis. By understanding these mechanisms, we aim to uncover new therapeutic avenues to treat poor prognosis breast and ovarian cancers.

Recent Publications and References

3D chromatin remodeling potentiates transcriptional programs driving cell invasion.
Lebeau B, Jangal M, Zhao T, Wong CK, Wong N, Cañedo EC, Hébert S, Aguilar-Mahecha A, Chabot C, Buchanan M, Catterall R, McCaffrey L, Deblois G, Kleinman C, Park M, Basik M, Witcher M. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Sep 6;119(36):e2203452119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2203452119.
Single base-pair resolution analysis of DNA binding motif with MoMotif reveals an oncogenic function of CTCF zinc-finger 1 mutation.
Lebeau B, Zhao K, Jangal M, Zhao T, Guerra M, Greenwood CMT, Witcher M. Nucleic Acids Res. 2022 Aug 26;50(15):8441-8458. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkac658.
p66ShcA potentiates the cytotoxic response of triple-negative breast cancers to PARP inhibitors.
Cañedo EC, Totten S, Ahn R, Savage P, MacNeil D, Hudson J, Autexier C, Deblois G, Park M, Witcher M, Ursini-Siegel J. JCI Insight. 2021 Feb 22;6(4):e138382. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.138382.
SWI/SNF-Compromised Cancers Are Susceptible to Bromodomain Inhibitors.
Shorstova T, Marques M, Su J, Johnston J, Kleinman CL, Hamel N, Huang S, Alaoui-Jamali MA, Foulkes WD, Witcher M. Cancer Res. 2019 May 15;79(10):2761-2774. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-1545.

Researchers

About us

About us

About us

Our researchers

Michael Witcher, PhD

Cancer

Contact details

Assistant contact details

Snapshot

Important Links :

Major Research Activities

Recent Publications and References

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