Saman Zeeshan, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

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About Saman Zeeshan, Ph.D.

Dr. Zeeshan has a PhD in Bioinformatics and her research is aimed at understanding highly aggressive cancers. Associated with “The Cancer Isoform Program” in deciphering the basis of cancer with in-depth isoformic characterization of cancer cells leveraging modern genomic tools with the aim to develop novel therapeutic strategies for precision medicine. Her work is focused on transcriptome profiling of high-grade cancers such as triple negative breast cancer and melanoma that are characterized by a high level of genetic heterogeneity that are not responsive to targeted interventions.

As immuno-oncology takes center stage in the battle against cancer, the need for biomarkers has become even more acute. Applying immunoinformatics to studying cancer biology, her work has led her to identify alternative-splicing alterations in cancer and develop a quantitative, in-depth mechanistic understanding of molecular communication governing the dynamics of the tumorigenesis. Identification of novel signatures at various stages and with different treatments will serve as promising candidates for novel therapeutics as well as biomarkers for precise treatment and management.

Search MagazineMarch 19, 2019
Making a difference for rural cancer patients
Dr. Jens Rueter and the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative are providing advanced genomic tools to oncology practices throughout Maine.
Research HighlightMarch 08, 2019
Long-range connectivity and gene regulation networks
A complicated three-dimensional network involving proteins and specific DNA sequences helps regulate the expression of genes. New work led by JAX’s Chia-Lin Wei shows how one protein, SOX2, plays a significant role in neural stem cells, affecting many aspects of development and function.
Search MagazineMarch 06, 2019
From tragedy, hope and closure
Doctors who treat rare pediatric cancers face an awful truth: many of their patients will die far too young.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Press ReleaseMarch 05, 2019
3D genomics one nucleus at a time
Supported by a recent four-year, $2.3M grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Wei is looking to develop a method for chromatin interaction analysis in single nuclei, with single-molecule resolution.
- Genetic Tools
- Genetics and Genomics

Research HighlightMarch 12, 2019
A closer look at structural variants in the genome
A recent Cell paper uses long-read DNA sequencing and other advanced genomics tools and methods to shed light on genomic structural variants.
Research HighlightMarch 08, 2019
Breaking up is hard to do
New research shows that proteins work together to enable DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis.
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
Search MagazineMarch 06, 2019
Finding a better way to fight childhood cancers
Ching Lau is working to find effective therapies and test them against patients’ own tumors in specially made patient derived xenotype (PDX) mice.
Research HighlightFebruary 28, 2019
Two proteins essential for layered sterocilia elongation in the inner-ear
A research team led by Basile Tarchini has found two new proteins that are essential to the correct elongation of stereocilia, tiny hair-like cellular protrusions in the inner ear.