R. L. Judson-Torres

Genetic silencing of AKT induces melanoma cell death

This study shows that genetic silencing of AKT paralogs in melanoma cells leads to cell death via mTORC signaling disruption, which can be rescued by activated SGK1, suggesting dual targeting of AKT and SGK1 as a potential therapy.

Human melanocyte development and melanoma dedifferentiation at single cell resolution

This study characterizes human melanocyte development and dedifferentiation using single-cell RNA-sequencing, identifying site-specific subpopulations and transcriptional programs distinct from model systems.

Bidirectional interconversion between mutually exclusive tumorigenic and drug-tolerant melanoma cell phenotypes

This study identifies bidirectional interconversion between tumorigenic and drug-tolerant melanoma cell states through BRN2 expression, revealing distinct molecular programs and therapeutic implications.

BRAFV600E induces reversible mitotic arrest in human melanocytes via microRNA-mediated suppression of AURKB.

This study identifies microRNA-mediated suppression of AURKB as a mechanism by which BRAFV600E induces reversible mitotic arrest in human melanocytes, contributing to nevus formation.

A machine-learning classifier trained with microRNA ratios to distinguish melanomas from nevi

This study develops a machine learning classifier using microRNA ratios to distinguish melanomas from nevi, achieving 83% sensitivity and 71-83% specificity across multiple datasets.