Jackson Laboratory

The Bolcun-Filas Lab

Principal Investigator: Ewelina Bolcun-Filas, Ph.D.

The Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, ME

Contact me at: 207-288-6985

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Researching meiosis, the mechanisms of DNA damage detection and repair during normal development of gametes, and implications for fertility of cancer patients after radiation and chemotherapy.

our research focus

Germ cells are the only cell type that must endure extensive DNA damage in the form of programmed meiotic double-strand breaks (DSBs) during their normal development. Paradoxically, the absence of DSBs during meiosis as well as persisting unrepaired breaks are detrimental and typically result in meiotic arrest and infertility. Our research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the development of healthy gametes and how misregulation of these mechanisms can lead to reproductive disorders. In particular, we are interested in meiotic "quality checkpoints" operating in germ cells, which ensure that the correct and intact genetic information is transmitted to the next generation.

The same checkpoint that monitors DSB repair during meiosis is responsible for high sensitivity of oocytes to cancer treatment. Chemo and radiation therapies can cause oocyte death and lead to premature ovarian failure and infertility. Disabling the key checkpoint kinase CHK2 preserved fertility in mice exposed to ionizing radiation, thus opening a new avenue for oncofertility research. Our goal is to further dissect the DNA damage response pathway in oocytes, helping identify additional targets for fertility preservation therapies in cancer patients.

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Open Positions

Job	Job Title	Location	Description

Lab Staff

Nathaniel Boechat

Research Intern
Zachary Boucher

Research Assistant

To help in the goal of discovering the genetic causes of infertility.
Ewelina Bolcun-Filas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Researching meiosis, the mechanisms of DNA damage detection and repair during normal development of gametes, and implications for fertility of cancer patients after radiation and chemotherapy.
Ryan Kurtz

Research Assistant I
Alisha Tillman

Postbaccalaureate Intern

Investigating Chk1 Function During DNA damage in oocytes
Jennifer Wright

Research Administrative Assistant I

Providing administrative support to Research Faculty and their staff.

Selected Publications

View full list of publications

Press ReleaseNovember 20, 2019
How do gliomas evolve?
The Glioma Longitudinal Analysis (GLASS) Consortium characterized diffuse glioma cells both before and after therapy to characterize how they change and why this form of malignant brain cancer is so difficult to treat. The findings provide a foundation for further research and the opportunity for the clinical community to predict the effectiveness of newly developed treatments.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer
Research HighlightOctober 31, 2019
Improving transgene research with split selectable markers
JAX Assistant Professor Albert Cheng led a team to develop split selectable markers, a method that can indicate the successful integration of multiple transgenes.
Blog PostOctober 28, 2019
New US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations
The USPSTF updated this important screening recommendation in August, 2019. It now recommends screening for potentially harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer or an ancestry associated with BRCA1/2 gene mutations.
Search MagazineOctober 02, 2019
Maximizing research potential
Six JAX early-career faculty members receive major grant awards.

Research HighlightNovember 13, 2019
Treating cancer as an invasive species
Cancer cells behave in much the same way as an invasive species on an island, and the efforts to eradicate those species can inform the development of cancer therapies.
eNewsOctober 30, 2019
Leveraging our immune systems for good
Professor Jacques Banchereau, Ph.D., discusses breakthroughs in the study of the human autoimmune system, cancer and vaccines.
- Immunology
- Cancer
Featured ArticleOctober 28, 2019
Cancer researchers embrace AI to accelerate development of precision medicine
Using Microsoft AI, The Jackson Laboratory is empowering researchers and medical professionals with a powerful digital encyclopedia that has the potential to change the way we study and treat cancer.
Research HighlightSeptember 20, 2019
An epigenetic eraser
The genome editing tool, Casilio, can be used to efficiently remove methyl groups from DNA and activate expression of methylation-silenced genes in experimental systems. Casilio was created by Jackson Laboratory Assistant Professor Albert Cheng.