Bradley R. Cairns

Bradley R. Cairns, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Oncological Sciences at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Chief Academic Officer of the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), and holder of the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. His research focuses on chromatin remodeling, germline development, and cancer mechanisms, utilizing zebrafish, yeast, and human models. Dr. Cairns pioneered the purification of chromatin remodeling complexes (SWI/SNF, RSC) and revealed their dysregulation in cancer.

Education:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Stanford University (1996)
• BS (Honors) in Chemistry, Lewis and Clark College (1987)
• Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and Stanford University

Research Interests: Dr. Cairns investigates how chromatin structure regulates gene expression in germline stem cells and early embryos, with emphasis on totipotency establishment. His lab studies: 1) Mechanisms of nucleosome remodeling by ATP-dependent complexes; 2) Epigenetic poising of developmental genes in sperm; 3) Single-cell dynamics of human spermatogenesis; and 4) DUX transcription factors in embryonic genome activation. Key models include zebrafish embryogenesis and human testis development.

Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes single-cell genomics of human germline development, 3D chromatin architecture in embryogenesis, and p53-mediated regulation in muscular dystrophy. Studies consistently integrate biochemical, genetic, and genomic approaches to dissect chromatin-transcription relationships in development and disease.

Awards & Honors:

• Fellow, Royal Society (2023)
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017)
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2000–present)
• Leukemia Society Fellowship
• American Cancer Society Fellowship

Leadership & Training: Dr. Cairns has mentored 26 graduate students and 12 postdoctoral fellows. He directs the Molecular Biology Graduate Program and co-leads HCI’s Nuclear Control Program. Administrative roles include chairing HCI’s Bioinformatics and Genomics Cores and co-chairing the Commission on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Lab & Collaborations: The Cairns Lab employs biochemical, genomic, and genetic methods to study chromatin dynamics. Key collaborations include the Human Testis Atlas project and studies on FSHD muscular dystrophy. Lab resources include protocols for chromatin profiling and zebrafish embryogenesis.