Member of the Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, and Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology.
Frank M. Mason, PhD, is a cancer cell biologist whose research focuses on the mechanisms and consequences of genomic instability in cancer.
As cells grow and divide, they must accurately segregate their DNA to the daughter cells. If segregation errors occur, it will result in cells with too few or too many chromosomes, causing a state called aneuploidy. Aneuploidy is the most common genetic alteration in cancer and is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance.
Dr. Mason's group is working to understand how aneuploidy arises, and how genomic instability in cancer cells influences other cells in the tumor microenvironment. They have a particular interest in how epigenetic reprogramming influences chromosome stability in kidney cancer.
Research project: I’m interested in mechanisms of genome maintenance, cell division, epigenetics, DNA replication and repair, chromosome organization, and lots of other things.
Lab hobbies: my two favorite activities are sitting on the microscope for hours on end and talking about science with trainees.
Outside of lab: I love spending time with my family, cooking, and hiking.