DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Candidate: Dr. Han is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center who has developed a unique set of expertise in microRNA biogenesis, DNA damage response, ncRNA and in the identification and characterization of Drosha-associated DDX1. Through her graduate and postdoctoral studies Dr. Han has established a productive track record, with 18 research and review papers published, seven of which as first/joint-first author. Her work has been published in high impact peer-reviewed journals including Nature, Cell Reports, EMBO Journal, Cellular and molecular life sciences, Antioxidants & redox signaling, Biology of Reproduction, Fertility and Sterility. Dr.Han's research has in part been funded by three-year Odyssey fellowship award and Cockrell Foundation at MD Anderson cancer center. Career Development/Training: Dr.Han's long-term goal is to establish an independent research program, where she will elucidate molecular mechanisms by which deregulated RNA-binding proteins plays a role in cancer by altering the expression of various types of RNA and tumor-suppressor RNA. Importantly, these findings will translate into the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The K99/R00 career award will help in achieving this goal by advancing her training in technologies of microRNA biogenesis; DEAD-box RNA helicases; microRNA biogenesis, RNA-protein interaction analysis, RNA-sequencing data analysis in genome wide, DNA damage response, in vitro cancer research, in vivo ovarian tumor xenograft. During the mentored phase Dr. Han will work closely with her mentorship team to learn techniques and hands-on experience in microRNA study and DNA damage response (from Dr. Xiongbin Lu), ncRNA discovery and analysis (from Dr. Chang- Gong Liu), Cancer biology (from Mien-Chie Hung) and ovarian cancer in vivo mouse study and clinical translation (from Dr. Anil K Sood). Strong consultant team (Dr. Xinna Zhang, microRNA analysis; Dr. Cristina Ivan, in silico data analysis) also supports Dr. Han to achieve her research and training plan. The very inspiring scientific environment at the university of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, also part of the world-largest Texas Medical Center, will not only provide her with the expertise and facilities necessary for the completion of the mentored phase of this project, but will also prepare her to transition smoothly into an independent faculty position and lead the research team for basic and clinical understanding of microRNA regulation in cancer progression. Research: Cancer often displays aberrant profiles of microRNA, leading to the global alteration of target proteins that can increase cell proliferation, cellular migratio, and apoptotic resistance. Due to their central role in controlling gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, RNA-binding proteins are emerging as fundamental players in tumor development. Dr. Han's previous studies demonstrated t...