Emily Bernstein, PhD
- PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
- PROFESSOR | Dermatology
Research Topics:
Cancer, Chromatin, Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, Molecular Biology, Stem CellsEmily Bernstein, PhD, Professor of Oncological Sciences and Dermatology, is Co-leader of the Cancer Mechanisms Research Program at The Tisch Cancer Institute. As such, Dr. Bernstein facilitates basic research on genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, and developmental pathways that drive cancer initiation and progression, and fosters intra- and inter-program collaborations that accelerate the development of novel, targeted therapies for cancer.
Dr. Bernstein studies epigenetic regulation of gene expression in cancer and development, with the long-term goal of understanding the chromatin changes that take place at the molecular level during the transformation process of normal cells to cancer cells. Her team studies melanoma, breast cancer, and neuroblastoma.
Dr. Bernstein regularly teaches courses on cancer biology and serves on numerous PhD thesis committees at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is permanent member of the Cancer Genetics Study Section of the NIH Center for Scientific Review and serves as a reviewer for additional grant foundations.
Multi-Disciplinary Training Areas
Cancer Biology [CAB], Development Regeneration and Stem Cells [DRS]Education
PhD, SUNY Stony Brook/Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The Rockefeller University
-
2020
Faculty Council Award for Academic Excellence by a Senior Faculty member -
2019
4D Technology Development Program -
2017
Commencement 2017 Honoree, Graduate Student Marshal -
2015
Established Investigator Award -
2014
Young Investigators in Cancer Research -
2012
Outstanding Mentorship Award -
2012
Young Cancer Scientist Research Award -
2012
Developmental Fund Award -
2011
The Dr. Harold and Golden Lamport Research Award -
2010
Tisch Cancer Institute Developmental Funds Award -
2008
Scholar Award -
2008
New Scholar Award -
2004
Postdoctoral Fellowship -
Research Award
Summary of Current Research
Our focus is on epigenetic regulation of gene expression in multiple biological pathways including cancer (melanoma, breast cancer, neuroblastoma), cellular senescence and stem cell biology. We have a strong research focus on histone variants and their dedicated chaperones, chromatin remodelers, and histone modifying enzymes, which are all frequently altered in cancer.
Chromatin is the complex of DNA and its intimately associated proteins - with histones constituting the major component. This template is an attractive candidate for shaping the features of a cell's epigenetic landscape. Disruption of a cell's epigenetic balance can perturb chromatin structure and gene regulation, contributing to disease states. There is a growing interest both in academia and industry to target the machinery that regulate chromatin dynamics, and this burgeoning field is of great interest to our laboratory.
Our laboratory collaborates with numerous investigators at ISMMS and other institutes to translate our basic mechanistic findings towards pre-clinical or clinical trials. We work closely with medicinal chemists, immunologists, and external partners towards this goal.
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Dr. Bernstein did not report having any of the following types of financial relationships with industry during 2022 and/or 2023: consulting, scientific advisory board, industry-sponsored lectures, service on Board of Directors, participation on industry-sponsored committees, equity ownership valued at greater than 5% of a publicly traded company or any value in a privately held company. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.