The Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine announced that Deborah Lang, PhD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, has received a 2-year, $300,000 Discovery Boost Grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). Dr. Lang highlighted that the new funding will be used to analyze how PAX3 proteins may be connected to melanoma. She explained that the proteins are responsible for regulating gene expression and managing stem cell maintenance in melanocytes; however, melanoma cells may subvert these functions to allow for tumor development and metastasis. Dr. Lang noted that although many of the genes become dysregulated at the DNA gene level, other genes may be disrupted at the RNA or protein creation levels. She hopes to further examine the correlation between PAX3 and lineage-specific RNA regulation and determine methods for hindering disease progression and supporting stem cell multipotency—which may uncover novel therapies for patients with melanoma.