Annalisa Di Ruscio, MD, PhD

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Academic Titles

Assistant Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Leukemia

Member, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

Research Abstract

Dr. Annalisa Di Ruscio’s research explores the intersection of transcriptional activity and epigenetics, focusing on how RNA molecules can precisely modulate DNA methylation patterns. Building on her discovery of DNMT1-interacting RNAs (DiRs)—a class of RNAs that regulate cell type-specific DNA methylation—her laboratory at BIDMC is advancing pioneering strategies to correct abnormal methylation in cancers and other diseases. By developing DiR-mimicking platforms, her team aims to refine DNA methylation profiles with unprecedented specificity and minimal toxicity, addressing limitations in current hypomethylating therapies. This approach holds the potential to revolutionize clinical treatment for patients, offering a pathway to improved survival and quality of life by leveraging RNA’s natural ability to influence the epigenome. Dr. Di Ruscio’s work thus stands at the forefront of RNA-based epigenetic therapies, aspiring to transform both therapeutic outcomes and the broader standard of care in oncology and beyond.