Deeann Wallis, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has successfully utilized functional genomics approaches to lead a number of screening and drug discovery/development projects that have resulted in numerous publications, patents, a pre-IND application, and multiple lead compounds ready for clinical trials. Currently, her lab focuses on understanding the function of the Neurofibromatosis Type 1 gene, NF1 and developing mutation directed therapeutics. NF1 is characterized primarily by benign tumors that form along the nerves anywhere in the body, called neurofibromas. While the NF1 gene is a classic tumor suppressor with mutation of both alleles leading to tumor formation, the mechanisms involved in tumorigenesis are still poorly understood. Notably, one of the protein’s functions is to inhibit the RAS signaling pathway, which when left unchecked results in cellular over-proliferation and tumor formation.  NF1 has also been shown to bind the estrogen receptor and act as a transcriptional co-repressor; this has implications for its role in breast cancer.  Her laboratory is currently focused on establishing predictive animal and cell culture model systems to look at the function of the NF1 gene and specific patient mutations. The cell models will be utilized to develop screens to identify drugs to treat NF1. Mouse and rat models will also be utilized to better understand both the function of NF1 and as preclinical models to test new drug therapies.