In 2012 Dr. Yang received an AA&MDSIF research grant to for his study, “Structural insights into deregulated epigenetic mechanisms and DNA demethylation in MDS.” We recently caught up with Dr. Yang and asked how the grant has helped him contribute to the understanding of bone marrow failure disease and the potential impact of his current research.
“The AA&MDSIF grant helps us to understand the molecules and mechanisms that regulate normal generation of blood cellular components as well as malignant cell transformation. The potential for such support is huge because understanding the disease mechanisms will help to identify targets for treatment, leading to the ultimate cure for bone marrow failure disease.”
The results of our AA&MDSIF sponsored studies will have a significant impact on bone marrow failure disease, allowing rational design of compounds that could restore normal bone marrow function in patients. Our long term goal is to understand the molecules and mechanisms that regulate normal generation of blood cellular components as well as malignant cell transformation, as a necessary prerequisite of discovering factors that could fine-tune blood cell differentiation or restore normal bone marrow function.
"This project will have a major impact in a broad area of bone marrow failure research, including our understanding of how MDS develops and new therapeutic strategies for MDS and other myeloid disorders."