Aaron Hata

Aaron Hata has advanced understanding of how drug tolerant persister cells evolve into genetically resistant tumors, using single-cell genomic approaches to track the transition from reversible epigenetic tolerance to permanent genetic resistance in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. His research demonstrated that persister cells undergo specific epigenetic reprogramming events that increase mutagenesis and facilitate acquisition of resistance mutations. He showed that early targeting of persister cells with epigenetic agents or combination therapy can prevent the emergence of genetic resistance. His work has established the persister-to-resistant cell transition as a critical therapeutic intervention window.