Rachel L. Flynn, PhD
Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Biography
In the Laboratory of Genomic stability and Cancer Therapeutics we use a combination of biochemical and cell biological approaches to study the function of mammalian telomeres. Telomeres cap the ends of linear chromosomes and provide a molecular barrier for the human genome. Following each cell division, progressive telomere shortening erodes that barrier and compromises the stability of the genome. Critically short, or dysfunctional telomeres induce replicative senescence and/or cell death and ultimately, lead to cellular aging. Cancer cells, however, overcome the replicative senescence associated with critically short telomeres by exploiting mechanisms of telomere elongation. The focus of my lab is to understand the mechanisms regulating mammalian telomere maintenance and to understand how defects in this process contribute to premature aging and cancer progression. The hope is that these studies will allow us to gain the mechanistic insight necessary to define novel targets and/or strategies in the treatment of human disease.
Publications
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Published 10/7/2024
Flynn RL, Wright DE. The winner of the 2024 FEBS Letters Award-an interview with Rachel Flynn. FEBS Lett. 2024 Oct; 598(20):2467-2469. PMID: 39375189.
Read at: PubMed
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Published 1/18/2024
Mori JO, Keegan J, Flynn RL, Heaphy CM. Alternative lengthening of telomeres: mechanism and the pathogenesis of cancer. J Clin Pathol. 2024 Jan 18; 77(2):82-86. PMID: 37890990.
Read at: PubMed
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Published 9/13/2023
Zamalloa LG, Pruitt MM, Hermance NM, Gali H, Flynn RL, Manning AL. RB loss sensitizes cells to replication-associated DNA damage after PARP inhibition by trapping. Life Sci Alliance. 2023 Dec; 6(12). PMID: 37704395.
Read at: PubMed
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Published 5/26/2023
Reiss M, Keegan J, Aldrich A, Lyons SM, Flynn RL. The exoribonuclease XRN2 mediates degradation of the long non-coding telomeric RNA TERRA. FEBS Lett. 2023 Jul; 597(14):1818-1836. PMID: 37191774.
Read at: PubMed
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Published 5/5/2023
Carson LM, Flynn RL. Highlighting vulnerabilities in the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2023 Jun; 70:102380. PMID: 37149932.
Read at: PubMed
View All 25 Publications: View Full Profile in BUMC
Other Positions
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Associate Professor, Medicine
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine -
Peter Paul Career Development Professorship
Boston University -
Member, BU-BMC Cancer Center
Boston University -
Co-Director, Genome Science Institute
Boston University -
Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences
Education
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, PhD
- Saint Michael's College, BS