Edward J. Benz headshot

Edward Benz, Jr., M.D.

Richard and Susan Smith Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
Professor of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

In erythrocytes, Protein 4.1R is essential for membrane integrity. Deficiencies cause congenital hemolytic anemia. We have shown that there are many isoforms of P4.1R in other tissues. These participate in the mitotic apparatus, costameres, tight junctions, and adherens junctions. We are studying the structure function relationships of these isoforms. We also study the regulated pre-mRNA splicing events that govern their tissue and differentiation stage expression. We have identified a novel splicing factor induced during erythropoiesis that is critical to regulated P4.1R splicing and have characterized the mechanism by which it alters splicing.

Blood Spotlight Review on Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease.
Authors: Authors: Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, Panepinto JA.
Blood
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Introduction to the Thalassemia Syndromes: Molecular Medicine's Index Case.
Authors: Authors: Benz EJ.
Hematol Oncol Clin North Am
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Thalassemia.
Authors: Authors: Benz EJ, Sankaran VG.
Hematol Oncol Clin North Am
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Remembering the Contributions of Professor David J. Weatherall.
Authors: Authors: Benz EJ.
Hematol Oncol Clin North Am
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Multifunctional protein 4.1R regulates the asymmetric segregation of Numb during terminal erythroid maturation.
Authors: Authors: Huang SC, Vu LV, Yu FH, Nguyen DT, Benz EJ.
J Biol Chem
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Progress in Cancer Research, Prevention, and Care.
Authors: Authors: Schilsky RL, Nass S, Le Beau MM, Benz EJ.
N Engl J Med
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Value of Oncology Pharmacists in the Oncology Health Care Workforce-Reply.
Authors: Authors: Shulman LN, Sheldon LK, Benz EJ.
JAMA Oncol
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The Future of Cancer Care in the United States-Overcoming Workforce Capacity Limitations.
Authors: Authors: Shulman LN, Sheldon LK, Benz EJ.
JAMA Oncol
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Epithelial-specific isoforms of protein 4.1R promote adherens junction assembly in maturing epithelia.
Authors: Authors: Huang SC, Liang JY, Vu LV, Yu FH, Ou AC, Ou JP, Zhang HS, Burnett KM, Benz EJ.
J Biol Chem
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Accelerating the Science of SCD Therapies-Is a Cure Possible?
Authors: Authors: Benz EJ, Mondoro TH, Gibbons GH.
JAMA
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