Francesca Menghi, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Studies critical genomic changes implicated in ovarian and breast cancers.
At the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, I am involved in several projects that explore the genome-wide patterns of genetic and transcriptional alterations characterizing human cancers. In particular,I am interested in the identification of key regulatory genes and/or pathways as well as complex rearrangement profiles, which may explain tumor initiation and progression as well as provide valuable targets for the development of novel therapeutic approaches and prognostic biomarkers. At present, I am investigating critical genomic aberrations implicated in ovarian and breast cancer tumorigenesis. By exploiting next-generation sequencing technologies combined with in vitro cell culture models and in vivo patient-derived xenografts, I aim at a better understanding of the individuality of cancer genomes and at the development of novel approaches toward the personalized management of cancer patients.
Grants, honors and accomplishments
April 2010 to September 2010 - Awarded Annabel McEnery Children's Cancer Fund
2008 - Regional prize winners in Biotechnology YES business course, Newcastle/London, UK
2008 - ICH open day poster special commendation
October 2006 to March 2010 - Awarded Olivia Hodson Cancer Fund PhD studentship
2004 - Best contribution award at the IX National Congress of the Italian Association of Neuro-Oncology
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Research HighlightJuly 07, 2022JAX team discovers mechanism for chemotherapy resistance
A team led by JAX's Edison Liu and Francesca Menghi used patient data, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models, and engineered cancer cell lines to investigate why people with BRCA mutations respond better and are less likely to develop platinum-based therapy resistance than patients with BRCA1 promoter methylation. -
Search MagazineApril 27, 2018Finding precise cures for cancer
At JAX's new speaker event series, JAXtaposition, two scientific leaders shared how the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative and JAX’s cutting-edge genomic testing is giving physicians access to the most advanced precision cancer care for their patients. -
Search MagazineNovember 01, 2017Curing breast cancer: When, how, and what’s next?
A diagnosis of breast cancer is always devastating, but advances in research are pushing incidence and mortality trends in the right direction — down.
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Search MagazineOctober 19, 2021Five ways scientists are taking the fight to cancer
In this article, we examine the different ways cancer escalates the conflicts within our bodies, and how scientists are leveraging the incredible power of genetics and genomics to disarm it. -
Research HighlightDecember 07, 2017BRCA1 and tandem duplications in cancer
BRCA mutations are well-known cancer risk factors, but a particular genomic perturbation, called tandem duplications , is associated with loss of BRCA1 but not BRCA2. -
Press ReleaseApril 04, 2016Genomic pattern for breast cancer revealed
Research team led by JAX CEO Edison Liu has found the molecular fingerprint — and a potential therapy — for some of the deadliest cancers affecting women.