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

Zachary Boucher

Research Assistant

To help in the goal of discovering the genetic causes of infertility.
Chihiro Emori, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
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

Selected Publications

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Press ReleaseApril 16, 2019
A thorough characterization of structural variants in human genomes
A recent study used multiple advanced technologies to dive deeper into the human genome than ever before to comprehensively characterize the structural variants present in three families, and what their functional consequences might be.
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

Blog PostMarch 26, 2019
Can polyps detected by early screening help to identify individuals at risk of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes?
Because March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to circle back around to the screening guideline released by the American Cancer Society (ACS) last May. What have been the effects in practice? Are young people who didn’t know they were at risk of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome coming to attention because they’ve been screened and found to have concerning polyps?
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.