David Ting, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Academic Titles

Associate Professor, Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Cancer Risk, Prevention, and Early Detection

Member, Gastrointestinal Malignancies

Member, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

Leadership Roles

Deputy Executive Director, Cancer Center

Deputy Executive Director, Executive Committee

Member, Center Scientific Council

Research Abstract

My research is focused on the role of non-coding RNA transcription in cancer as it relates to tumorigenesis and as novel biomarkers. I have recently published the finding that satellite RNA transcription is aberrantly expressed at high levels in pancreatic cancer compared to normal pancreas. The role of these satellite transcripts in cancer development are not fully understood and is an active area of interest in my research. In addition, the HSATII satellite is exquisitely specific for pancreatic cancer and this biomarker is present in pre-neoplastic pancreatic lesions. Given this, it is a promising novel biomarker for early detection and merits further investigation as a clinical diagnostic. In addition, our laboratory has developed microfluidic technology capable of capturing capture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood of cancer patients. Using non-coding satellite RNA as a biomarker with the CTCs may be used for an effective non-invasive early detection diagnostic.