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
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.
November 2, 2022
Highlighted Faculty: Adriana Beltran, PhD, Associate Professor
The Genetics Department is proud to highlight Associate Professor, Dr. Adriana Beltran, for her excellence in service, teaching, and mentoring.
June 19, 2022
Department of Genetics Publications for June 5th – 18th, 2022
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 16 papers during June 5th – 18th, 2022.
October 25, 2021
Beltran awarded a Faculty Research Support Grant from the Department of Genetics
Adriana Beltran, PhD, Associate Professor of Genetics and Director of the Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, was awarded a Faculty Research Support Grant, formerly known as a PIVOT award, for $20,000 from the Department of Genetics, which was evenly matched by both the School of Medicine Office of Research, and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) for a total of $60,000.
September 9, 2021
Won, Mohlke, Love awarded UM1 as part of the new IGVF consortium at NHGRI
Hyejung Won (PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Neuroscience Center), Karen Mohlke (PhD, Professor, Department of Genetics), and Mike Love (PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Department of Genetics), were awarded a 5-year $9.25 million UM1 grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) titled “Systematic in vivo characterization of disease-associated regulatory variants”. The …
July 12, 2021
Department of Genetics Publications for June 27 – July 10, 2021
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 17 papers during June 27 - July 10, 2021.
July 2, 2021
Adriana Beltran and Human Pluripotent Cell Core contribute to findings published in Nature Genetics
A research team led by Dr. Damaris Lorenzo, Assistant Professor in the UNC Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and member of the Neuroscience Center, discovered a new neurodevelopmental syndrome that is caused by pathogenic variants in the SPTBN1 gene which encodes neuronal βII-spectrin.
