Research Interests
Keywords: Genome engineering, stem cells, reprogramming, iPSCs, cell fate and differentiation, organoids, breast cancer organoids
My laboratory focuses on engineering cellular models to gain a systems-level understanding of complex biological processes in health and disease. My contributions in cell biology and cancer research support the efforts of a large academic and clinical community at UNC.
My team’s current efforts in cell biology aim at generating patient-specific disease models by combining induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and CRISPR from neurodevelopmental disorders in collaboration with other investigators at UNC. These engineered iPSCs can be differentiated into a plethora of cell lineages, including neuronal cell types and specialized cellular systems such as organoids. By integrating genomic, transcriptional, and epigenetic information from RNA and DNA deep sequencing from these models, we aim to gain insight into the molecular pathways that, when dysregulated, translate into neurodevelopmental disorders. Our ultimate goal is to understand these complex systems better, allow their manipulation, and leverage them to generate more targeted therapeutics as well as prevent human disease.
My team’s contribution to Cancer Research involves establishing a breast cancer organoid biobank from primary tissue of breast cancer subtypes in collaboration with investigators at UNC and the LCCC. Active efforts are directed to dissecting the molecular mechanism of widespread transcriptional adaptation to pharmacological treatments, a significant problem for cancer patients and more for triple-negative breast cancer. These breast organoid models provide a comprehensive system to test drug resistance and translate drug efficacy into the clinic.
Mentor Training:
- Bias 101
- DEI Program Part 1 – Unconscious Bias
- Mental Health First Aid
- OGE Mentor Training: Train The Trainer
- TEAM ADVANCE
Courses Taught:
- PHCO 744 Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
- GNET 760 CRISPR-Based Genome Engineering
Publications
Lab Members:
- Sarahi Molina, Research Technician
- Lorena J. Munoz, Research Technician
- Ariana Marquez, Research Associate
- Sonja Mihailovic, Graduate Student, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Co-advised with Jeremy Purvis
Adriana Beltran in UNC Genetics News

February 11, 2025
Adriana Beltran Receives UNC ELEVATE Award
Dr. Adriana Beltran, PhD (Associate Professor, Genetics) has received an ELEVATE Fixed-Term Faculty Development Award from the Committee on Faculty Leaves and Awards, UNC Provost Office.

February 6, 2025
Department of Genetics Publications for January 19th – February 1st, 2025
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 17 papers during January 19th - February 1st 2025.

January 23, 2025
Eight Psychiatric Disorders Share the Same Genetic Causes, Study Says
Building off previous groundbreaking research, a new study identifies specific genetic variants that have significant impacts on brain development and are shared across eight different psychiatric disorders. Targeting these variants could pave the way for treatments that address multiple conditions at once.

April 15, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for March 31st – April 13th, 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 9 papers during March 31st - April 13th 2024.

March 3, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for February 18th – March 2nd, 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 11 papers during February 18th - March 2nd 2024.

February 5, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for January 21st – February 3rd 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 9 papers during January 21st - February 3rd 2024.

October 23, 2023
Department of Genetics Publications for October 8th – 21st, 2023
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 9 papers during October 8th - 21st 2023.

September 11, 2023
Department of Genetics Publications for August 27th – September 9th, 2023
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 10 papers during August 27th - September 9th 2023.

February 28, 2023
Beltran, Perou and Valdar Recognized with Awards for Excellence in Basic Science Mentoring
The Office of Graduate Education has recognized three Genetics faculty members with Mentoring Awards.

January 4, 2023
GMB Student Sonja Mihailovic Selected for 2023 Nucleate Activator Program
Sonja Mihailovic, GMB graduate student in the laboratories of Drs. Adriana Beltran and Jeremy Purvis (both Associate Professors in Genetics), has been selected as part of the 2023 RTP cohort in the Nucleate Activator program for next-generation bioentrepreneurs.