The Fallopian Tube’s Secret Bodyguards 🛡️
I am thrilled to share our lab’s latest study which flips the script on how we think about the origins of ovarian cancer. For a long time, ciliated cells in the fallopian tube were seen as "passive bystanders" in tumor development.
Our research reveals they are actually active guardians of genomic integrity. We found that these cells use a STING-driven surveillance mechanism to act as a biological "cleanup crew," clearing away damaged cells before they can turn into high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). When these "gatekeepers" are lost, the door swings wide open for cancer to initiate.
This discovery shifts our understanding of the epithelial microenvironment and points toward new strategies for early prevention.
https://t.co/U4p7itUItZ
@UMich@UMRogelCancer@CR_AACR@UMichPath
Congratulations to Jose Colina, Analisa DiFeo, and colleagues on their simultaneous publication—Ciliated Cells Drive Critical STING-Mediated Tumor Suppression in the Fallopian Tube Epithelium—presented earlier today at #AACR26. Read the article: https://t.co/OibCq2eRzV
@Difeolab
Watch our interview with Analisa DiFeo, PhD, recipient of the 2025 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Award for Outstanding Journal Article, to learn more about her research: https://t.co/pMKmDyl1Hh
@DiFeoLab@umichmedicine@UMichPath@UMRogelCancer
A role model in and out of the lab, Dr. Analisa DiFeo (@DiFeoLab) is a first-gen Italian American, a recognized ovarian cancer researcher, and a powerful mentor at #UMichPath. Her journey to cutting-edge translational science is fueled by resilience, purpose, and a deep pride in her roots. Read her story: https://t.co/woVK8ZTBkJ
Harini Ram, undergraduate @umichLSA student in the @DiFeoLab, was recently awarded the 2025 Astronaut Scholarship from the @AstroScholarFdn, an award presented to students pursuing a STEM field to conduct research upon completion of their degree.
Ram, the only student from @UMich to receive the award, is currently working on ovarian cancer research where she is studying miR-181a and MYC-mediated metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironments of high-grade serous carcinomas. Her goal is to obtain her medical degree and PhD in a Medical Scientist Training program after graduation. #GoBlue #UMichPath
Read more👉 https://t.co/ZcOWc4DEiO
Congratulations to Analisa DiFeo, PhD, and colleagues, recipients of the 2025 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Award for Outstanding Journal Article. Learn more and read the article: https://t.co/KJ6ACMhhoQ
@DiFeoLab@umichmedicine@UMichPath@UMRogelCancer
Congratulations Grace this is a well-deserved recognition of your hard work, scientific curiosity, and dedication to advancing cancer research. We're especially grateful to the Rogel Cancer Center for their continued investment in young scientists—support like this makes transformative research possible.
Join us in congratulating @MCP_Grad_Prog student Grace McIntyre, winner of the 2025 @UMRogelCancer Center Graduate Student Scholarship!
Grace, a member of the @DiFeoLab, is being recognized for her innovative work targeting microRNA-181a, a key player in cancer growth and immune suppression.
Congratulations, Grace! #UMichPath https://t.co/fq7oi9FH5G
Feeling incredibly honored and deeply grateful to MCT for this recognition, and to all my amazing collaborators and co-authors who made this work possible. Congratulations to @DiFeoLab@umichmedicine@UMichPath@UMRogelCancer
Learn more: https://t.co/y9fzFplTtT
#AACR25
Congratulations to Analisa DiFeo, PhD, and colleagues, recipients of the 2025 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Award for Outstanding Journal Article. Learn more: https://t.co/MHrlWhNcmD
#AACR25@DiFeoLab@umichmedicine@UMichPath@UMRogelCancer@AACR
Congratulations to Analisa DiFeo, PhD, and colleagues, recipients of the 2025 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Award for Outstanding Journal Article. Learn more: https://t.co/MHrlWhNcmD
#AACR25@DiFeoLab@umichmedicine@UMichPath@UMRogelCancer@AACR
📢JOIN US LIVE Wednesday, April 9, 4 PM ET! We're co-hosting the @RNASociety RNA Collaborative Seminar Series with @UR_Med, featuring talks by Ph.D. candidate Grace McIntyre @DiFeoLab and @NilsWalterLab Senior Scientist @AdrienChauvier Zoom registration 👉https://t.co/xd1GDOKEpQ