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Driving New Discoveries in Myeloma Research with Dr. Brian Van Ness from the University of Minnesota

Posted on: Jan 03, 2025

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New discoveries in multiple myeloma are made possible through a deep understanding of the disease. Many researchers contribute significantly to these breakthroughs by performing essential lab work, often without ever treating patients directly.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Van Ness, a PhD researcher from the University of Minnesota who has dedicated decades to studying the biology and genetics of multiple myeloma. Dr. Van Ness shares how his lab research has laid the foundation for new insights into this complex disease and how his unwavering love for patients has driven his work during his extensive career.

Tune in to learn how cutting-edge research translates into better outcomes for the myeloma community and how researchers like Dr. Van Ness are shaping the future of care.

Overview

Dr. Brian Van Ness joins the HealthTree for Multiple Myeloma podcast to share the opportunities and challenges of researchers who work with clinicians to understand the core factors of multiple myeloma. The show dives into how this basic research is helping us better understand the genetics of the disease, how technology is making great strides, and how talented individuals like this are making major contributions to the field.

On this episode

Jenny Ahlstrom

Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of the HealthTree Foundation.

Brian Van Ness, PhD

Brian Van Ness, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. He served as the Head of the Department for eight years and stepped down to serve as a co-Director of the Institute of Human Genetics. After receiving a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in chemistry from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA, Dr. Van Ness obtained his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. He conducted his postdoctoral work in molecular immunology with the Institute for Cancer Research in Fox Chase, PA. The research in the Van Ness lab is directed at defining genetic deregulation that contributes to lymphoid malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma results from plasma cell expansion in the bone marrow, and unfortunately is very hard to treat. This difficulty comes in part from the variability in genetic and signaling pathways that are deregulated in the plasma cells as well as the cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. The lab is developing cell line models to explore how different genes can influence disease progression and therapeutic response, then applying these results to analysis of patient samples. The goal is to develop gene expression signatures for each tumor that predicts response to a variety of drugs used in treatment of the disease. The lab has been developing single cell analyses to identify sub-populations within tumors that may resist therapy and contribute to relapse. The Van Ness lab is also working on novel therapeutic approaches involving epigenetic modulation to promote therapeutic response. The ultimate goal is to contribute to genetic characterization of patients that will direct individualized therapy.

Transcript

Driving New Discoveries in Myeloma Research with Dr. Brian Van Ness from the University of Minnesota

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