Raj Bhatt

Raj Bhatt focuses on the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and its weakening as a cause of chromosomal instability in cancer. His research defined how subtle reductions in SAC protein expression or activity, as seen in many cancers, allow cells to proceed through mitosis with unattached kinetochores and missegregate chromosomes without triggering apoptosis. He has investigated therapeutic strategies to exploit SAC dysfunction in CIN-high cancers by using drugs that create mitotic stress these cells cannot tolerate. His work on BubR1 and Mad2 checkpoint proteins provides mechanistic insight into CIN in cancer cells.