{"id":2933,"date":"2017-02-01T21:08:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-02T02:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/directory\/hector-franco-phd\/"},"modified":"2025-04-24T15:40:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T19:40:34","slug":"hector-franco-phd","status":"publish","type":"directory","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/directory\/hector-franco-phd\/","title":{"rendered":"Hector L. Franco, PhD"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- description --><\/p>\n<h2>Research Interests<\/h2>\n<p><strong class=\":keywords\">Keywords: Computational Biology, gene regulation, Enhancers, enhancer RNAs, pioneer transcription factors, genomics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefrancolab.org\"><strong>Lab Website<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Franco has a primary appointment in the Department of Genetics and is a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. After receiving his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of Puerto Rico Medical School in 2011, he became an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. W. Lee Kraus at UT Southwest Medical Center. Dr. Franco\u2019s work focused on molecular crosstalk between the endocrine and immune systems as well as non-coding RNAs and epigenetics in breast cancer.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Franco has been awarded a K99\/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Cancer Institute to continue his work as a faculty member at UNC. His lab will focus on studying the formation and function of transcriptional enhancers and the non-coding RNAs that are actively produced at enhancers, such as enhancer RNAs and long non-coding RNAs, which are involved in modulating several aspects of gene regulation. In addition, his lab will aim to understand how transcriptional enhancers help orchestrate responses to external stimuli found in the tumor microenvironment. The Franco lab will address these research aims by using an interdisciplinary approach that combines state-of-the-art molecular and cellular techniques with powerful genomic and computational approaches.<\/p>\n<h2>Mentor Training:<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Faculty Mentoring Workshop for Biomedical Researchers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Publications<\/h2>\n<div><strong><a class=\"external-link\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/myncbi\/browse\/collection\/40669471\/?sort=date&amp;direction=descending\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NCBI Bibliography Link<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>Hector Franco in UNC Genetics News<\/h2>\n            <div class=\"wc-cards\"><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-august-2025\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">September 14, 2025<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for August 2025<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 25 papers in August 2025.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for August 2025\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-february-2nd-march-1st-2025\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">March 3, 2025<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for February 2nd &#8211; March 1st, 2025<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 18 papers during February 2nd - March 1st 2025.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for February 2nd &#8211; March 1st, 2025\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-august-18th-31st-2024\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">September 1, 2024<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for August 18th &#8211; 31st, 2024<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 18 papers during August 18th - 31st 2024.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for August 18th &#8211; 31st, 2024\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-december-3rd-16th-2023\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">December 18, 2023<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for December 3rd &#8211; 16th, 2023<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 14 papers during December 3rd - 16th 2023.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for December 3rd &#8211; 16th, 2023\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-september-24th-october-7th-2023\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">October 9, 2023<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for September 24th &#8211; October 7th, 2023<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 12 papers during September 24th - October 7th 2023.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for September 24th &#8211; October 7th, 2023\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-september-10th-23rd-2023\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">September 25, 2023<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for September 10th &#8211; 23rd, 2023<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 7 papers during September 10th - 23rd 2023.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for September 10th &#8211; 23rd, 2023\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/dr-hector-franco-promoted-to-associate-professor-with-tenure\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Hector Franco\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">May 31, 2023<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Dr. Hector Franco Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Hector Franco, PhD has been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Genetics, effective June 1, 2023.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Dr. Hector Franco Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/genetics-faculty-featured-at-unc-linebergers-46th-annual-scientific-symposium\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2023\/05\/Franco-Hoadley-Perou-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Drs. Franco Hoadley and Perou\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2023\/05\/Franco-Hoadley-Perou-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2023\/05\/Franco-Hoadley-Perou-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">May 11, 2023<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Genetics Faculty Featured at UNC Lineberger\u2019s 46th Annual Scientific Symposium<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Leading investigators offer \u2018highly scientific, but patient-focused\u2019 talks on women\u2019s cancers at symposium<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Genetics Faculty Featured at UNC Lineberger\u2019s 46th Annual Scientific Symposium\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/dr-hector-franco-awarded-r01-from-nci\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Hector Franco\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2019\/04\/Hector-Franco-2019-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">August 25, 2022<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Dr. Hector Franco Awarded R01 from NCI<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Hector Franco, PhD (Assistant Professor, Genetics) was awarded a new R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for his project titled \u201cPosttranslational regulation of FOXA1 in breast cancer\u201d.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Dr. Hector Franco Awarded R01 from NCI\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article><article class=\"wc-card wc-card--1x1 wc-card--zoom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-july-17th-30th-2022\/\" class=\"wc-card__link-wrap\"><div class=\"wc-card__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg\" class=\"attachment-wc_card_1x1 size-wc_card_1x1 wp-post-image\" alt=\"UNC Department of Genetics Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/481\/2018\/12\/Genetics-Circle-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__header\"><p class=\"wc-card__date\">August 1, 2022<\/p><h3 class=\"wc-card__title wc-card__title--3\">Department of Genetics Publications for July 17th \u2013 30th, 2022<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"wc-card__content\"><p class=\"wc-card__excerpt wc-card__excerpt--5\">Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 11 papers during July 17th \u2013 30th, 2022.<\/p><p class=\"wc-card__more\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for July 17th \u2013 30th, 2022\"><span class=\"wc-card__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Read more<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/article>            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research Interests Keywords: Computational Biology, gene regulation, Enhancers, enhancer RNAs, pioneer transcription factors, genomics Lab Website Dr. Franco has a primary appointment in the Department of Genetics and is a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. After receiving his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of Puerto Rico Medical School in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/genetics\/department-of-genetics-publications-for-july-17th-30th-2022\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Department of Genetics Publications for July 17th \u2013 30th, 2022\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8766,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2933","directory","type-directory","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hector L. 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