Frank Cichocki

E-mail: cich0040@umn.edu

Thesis Advisor: Jeff Miller

Year entered: 2005

Degrees received:
B.S., Biotechnology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 2004

Honors and Awards:

• Graduate School Block fellowship (fall 2005)
• MICaB travel grant (fall 2007)
• Abstract selection for oral presentation at ASH (fall 2007)
• Abstract selection for oral presentation at ASH (Fall 2008)
• University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (Fall 2009-Spring 2010)

Thesis research:
The ability of an NK cell to recognize and kill virally infected or cancerous cells, and yet spare healthy cells in the body, is dependent upon multiple stimulatory and inhibitory interactions between receptors on the NK cell and ligands on the target cell. The Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors (KIR) are expressed in a variegated fashion by human NK cells, and play a central role in target recognition. My thesis is focused on understanding the transcriptional mechanisms that control KIR gene expression. By elucidating these mechanisms, we hope to develop ways to predictably manipulate KIR expression and to translate this research into potential novel therapies that will improve the efficacy of NK cell transplantation in the clinical setting.

Publications:

• Cichocki, F., R.J. Hanson, T. Lenvik, M. Pitt, V. McCullar, G. Yun, S.K. Anderson, J.S. Miller. 2008. The transcription factor c-Myc enhances KIR gene transcription through direct binding to a distal promoter element. Blood 113:3245-3253.

• Cichocki, F., and J.S. Miller. 2009. In Vitro Development of Human Killer-Immunoglobulin Receptor Positive NK Cells. NK Cell Protocols [In Press]