John M. Abrams

John M. Abrams is a Professor of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he leads research on molecular mechanisms of tumor suppression and cell death. He is also Chair of the Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program.

• PhD: Stanford University (1989)
• Postdoctoral Fellow: MIT (1989-1994)

His research focuses on:

• Elucidating how p53 suppresses tumors through transposon regulation
• Investigating genomic dark matter and noncanonical RNA functions
• Discovering evolutionary conserved mechanisms of apoptosis
• Developing transposopathy hypothesis for cancer biology
• Creating cell death imaging tools across model organisms
• Advancing vector control through targeted mosquitocide discovery

His recent publications highlight:

• Conserved p53 tumor suppression mechanisms across species
• Transposon activation in p53-mutant cancers
• Genomic stress responses in cellular physiology

Scientific recognition includes:

• American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award
• Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award

His laboratory (5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas) investigates:

• Genetic networks in programmed cell death
• Links between tumor suppressors and mobile genetic elements
• Real-time imaging of p53 activity
• Functional genomics of noncoding transcripts
• Development of targeted vector control agents