Francesca Cole, Ph.D.
Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Discovery Science
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Director of Trainee Transitions, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Basic Science Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Compromised DNA repair is a common feature of cancers and contributes to loss of genome integrity and tumorigenesis. A critical mechanism to faithfully repair DNA lesions, especially double-strand breaks, is homologous recombination. While many homologous recombination pathway components have been identified, their in vivo roles, especially within mammalian genomic contexts are poorly understood. Research in my laboratory uses genetic and molecular techniques to determine how homologous recombination pathways collaborate, compete, and compensate for one another. In particular, we use newly developed assay systems that take advantage of meiotic recombination in mouse spermatocytes to comprehensively dissect at high-resolution recombination outcomes. We plan to leverage this approach to (1) define the in vivo molecular characteristics of independent DNA repair pathways (2) discover new components of these pathways (3) provide a means of testing chemotherapeutic agents to specifically perturb individual pathways with a hope to improve cancer therapies.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2003 | Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York University, New York, NY, USA, PHD, Biomedical Sciences |
| 1992 | Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA, BA, Biological Sciences |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2012 | Research Fellowship, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY |
| 2003-2004 | Research Fellowship, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Program Co-Director (Genetics and Epigenetics program), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - 2022
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Advisory committee for the GSBS Core Course, 2022 - Present
Member, Advisory committee for Postdoctoral Affairs, 2022 - Present
Chair, GEC Social Media subcommittee, 2021 - 2022
Member, Smithville Move - Space Committee, 2021 - 2022
Member, Program Income Advisory Committee for the CCSG Research Animal Support Facility, 2021 - Present
Member, Scientific Review Panel for MDACC cluster faculty recruitment, 2021 - 2022
Member, Cancer Medicine Division Head Search Committee, 2021 - 2023
Member, Postdoctoral Office Director Search Committee, 2021 - 2022
Chair, GEC Professionalism Subcommittee, 2020 - 2021
Chair, GEC Covid-19 Environment Subcommittee, 2020 - 2021
Member, Academic Review Committee, 2020 - 2023
Reviewer, Moon Shots Program, The Disruptive Science Grant - Review Committee, 2020 - 2020
At-Large Member, Scientists for Basic/Laboratory Research Restart Planning Committee, 2020 - 2021
Member, GSBS Admissions Committee, 2020 - 2022
Reviewer, INTEREST study section, 2020 - Present
Member, Advisory committee for South Campus animal facility, 2020 - Present
Member, Graduate Education Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Smithville Move - Animal Transfers Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Flow Cytometry and Cell Imaging Core (FCCIC) Oversight Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Genetics and Epigenetics Steering Committee, 2018 - Present
Member, Committee for MD Anderson Cancer Center’s 2018 Alfred G. Knudson, Jr., Award, 2018 - 2018
Member, Faculty Search Committee for Immunology Open Rank, 2018 - 2022
Member, CPRIT High-Impact/High Risk (HIHR) LOI Review Committee, 2018 - 2018
Member, Genetics and Epigenetics Curriculum Committee, 2017 - 2018
Member, Faculty Search Committee for Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis - Professor, 2016 - 2017
Member, GSBS Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Program and Genes and Development Program Merger Committee, Curriculum Committee, 2016 - 2017
Member, GSBS Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Program and Genes and Development Program Merger Committee, Community Committee, 2016 - 2017
Member, Animal Resource Facility Advisory Committee (Science Park), 2016 - 2021
Member, Faculty Search Committee for Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Bioinformatician, 2016 - 2017
Member, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Admissions Committee, 2016 - 2018
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee (FARC), 2015 - Present
Member, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Admissions Committee, 2015 - 2016
Member, CPRIT High-Impact/High Risk (HIHR) LOI Review committee, 2015 - 2015
Member, Odyssey Program Advisory Committee, 2014 - 2017
Member, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis and Genes and Development Joint Retreat Committee, 2014 - 2015
Member, GSBS Academic Standards Committee, 2014 - 2017
Member, Steering Committee, Program in Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, 2013 - 2016
Member, Molecular Carcinogenesis and Genes and Development Joint Retreat Committee, 2013 - 2014
Member, Molecular Carcinogenesis Admissions Committee, Member, 2013 - 2014
Member, Faculty Search Committee for Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Assistant Professor, 2013 - 2014
Member, Faculty Search Committee for Molecular Carcinogenesis Assistant Professor, 2012 - 2013
Reviewer, American Legion Auxiliary Fellowship, 2012 - 2012
Reviewer, Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research, 2012 - 2012
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | D. Dudley and Judy White Oldham Faculty Award, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2022 | President's Recognition of Faculty Excellence in Education and Mentorship Advancement, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | Alfred G. Knudson, Jr., Outstanding Dissertation Award (Mentor), GSBS |
| 2018 | President's Recognition of Faculty Excellence in Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 | Wall of Science awardee, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2017 | Commendation for service to graduate education, GSBS Membership Committee |
| 2015 | NIH Director's New Innovator awardee, NIH Common Fund |
| 2014 | R. Lee Clark Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas |
| 2007 | Support for young participants award, 8th European Meiosis Meeting, Kanagawa, Japan |
| 2006 | Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Fellowship, NIH |
| 2006 | American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (declined), American Cancer Society |
| 2000 | Predoctoral Training Grant Fellow, Training in Cancer Biology, NIH |
| 1997 | Predoctoral Fellow, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1992 | Predoctoral Fellow, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1992 | Honorable Mention, Graduate Fellowship, National Science Foundation |
| 1992 | Phi Beta Kappa |
| 1992 | Sigma Xi |
| 1992 | Theodora (Teddy) Salmon Award for Excellence in Research in the Biological Sciences |
| 1992 | David L. Klein Jr. Memorial Scholarship |
| 1990 | Sigma Xi Summer Research Fellowship |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Premkumar T, Paniker L, Kang R, Biot M, Humphrey E, Destain H, Ferranti I, Okulate I, Nguyen H, Kilaru V, Frasca M, Chakraborty P, Cole F. Genetic dissection of crossover mutants defines discrete intermediates in mouse meiosis. Mol Cell 83(16):2022.08.10.503530, 2023. PMID: 37595556.
- Cole F. Preface. Curr Top Dev Biol 151:xv-xviii, 2023. PMID: 36681480.
- Billmyre KK, Bravo Núñez MA, Bishop DK, Cole F. Meiosis in Quarantine discussions lead to an action plan to increase diversity and inclusion within the genetics community. PLoS Genet 17(7):e1009648, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34264967.
- Toraason E, Horacek A, Clark C, Glover ML, Adler VL, Premkumar T, Salagean A, Cole F, Libuda DE. Meiotic DNA break repair can utilize homolog-independent chromatid templates in C. elegans. Curr Biol 31(7):1508-1514.e5, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33740427.
- Cole F, Borde V. Special issue on "recent advances in meiosis from DNA replication to chromosome segregation". Chromosoma 128(3):177-180, 2019. PMID: 31616989.
- Patel L, Kang R, Rosenberg SC, Qiu Y, Raviram R, Chee S, Hu R, Ren B, Cole F, Corbett KD. Dynamic Reorganization of the Genome Shapes the Recombination Landscape in Meiotic Prophase. Nat Struct Mol Biol 26(3):164-174, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30778236.
- Barsh GS, Bhalla N, Cole F, Copenhaver GP, Lacefield S, Libuda DE. 2018 PLOS Genetics Research Prize: Bundling, stabilizing, organizing-The orchestration of acentriolar spindle assembly by microtubule motor proteins. PLoS Genet 14(9):e1007649, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30212501.
- Kang R, Zelazowski MJ, Cole F. Missing the mark: PRDM9-dependent methylation is required for meiotic DSB targeting. Mol Cell 69(5):725-727, 2018. PMID: 29499130.
- Zelazowski MJ, Sandoval M, Paniker L, Hamilton HM, Han J, Gribbell MA, Kang R, Cole F. Age-dependent alterations in meiotic recombination cause chromosome segregation errors in spermatocytes. Cell 171(3):601-614.e13, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28942922.
- Takata KI, Reh S, Yousefzadeh MJ, Zelazowski MJ, Bhetawal S, Trono D, Lowery MG, Sandoval M, Takata Y, Lu Y, Lin K, Shen J, Kusewitt DF, McBride KM, Cole F, Wood RD. Analysis of DNA polymerase ν function in meiotic recombination, immunoglobulin class-switching, and DNA damage tolerance. PLoS Genet 13(6):e1006818, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28570559.
- Hansen RK, Mund A, Poulsen SL, Sandoval M, Klement K, Tsouroula K, Tollenaere MA, Räschle M, Soria R, Offermanns S, Worzfeld T, Grosse R, Brandt DT, Rozell B, Mann M, Cole F, Soutoglou E, Goodarzi AA, Daniel JA, Mailand N, Bekker-Jensen S. SCAI promotes DNA double-strand break repair in distinct chromosomal contexts. Nat Cell Biol 18(12):1357-1366, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27820601.
- Li M, Cole F, Patel DS, Misenko SM, Her J, Malhowski A, Alhamza A, Zheng H, Baer R, Ludwig T, Jasin M, Nussenzweig A, Serrano L, Bunting SF. 53BP1 Ablation Rescues Genomic Instability In Mice Expressing 'RING-less' BRCA1. EMBO Rep 17(11):1532-1541, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27670884.
- Vélez-Cruz R, Manickavinayaham S, Biswas AK, Clary RW, Premkumar T, Cole F, Johnson DG. RB localizes to DNA double-strand breaks and promotes DNA end resection and homologous recombination through the recruitment of BRG1. Genes Dev 30(22):2500-2512, 2016. PMID: 27940962.
- Cole F, Baudat F, Grey C, Keeney S, de Massy B, Jasin M. Mouse tetrad analysis provides insights into recombination mechanisms and hotspot evolutionary dynamics. Nat Genet 46(10):1072-80, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25151354.
- Cole F, Kauppi L, Lange J, Roig I, Wang R, Keeney S, Jasin M. Homeostatic control of recombination is implemented progressively in mouse meiosis. Nat Cell Biol 14(4):424-30, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22388890.
- Lange J, Pan J, Cole F, Thelen MP, Jasin M, Keeney S. ATM controls meiotic double-strand-break formation. Nature 479(7372):237-40, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22002603.
- Shakya R, Reid LJ, Reczek CR, Cole F, Egli D, Lin CS, deRooij DG, Hirsch S, Ravi K, Hicks JB, Szabolcs M, Jasin M, Baer R, Ludwig T. BRCA1 tumor suppression depends on BRCT phosphoprotein binding, but not its E3 ligase activity. Science 334(6055):525-8, 2011. PMID: 22034435.
- Cole F, Keeney S, Jasin M. Comprehensive, fine-scale dissection of homologous recombination outcomes at a hot spot in mouse meiosis. Mol Cell 39(5):700-10, 2010. PMID: 20832722.
- Zhang W, Kang JS, Cole F, Yi MJ, Krauss RS. Cdo functions at multiple points in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway, and Cdo-deficient mice accurately model human holoprosencephaly. Dev Cell 10(5):657-65, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16647303.
- Tenzen T, Allen BL, Cole F, Kang JS, Krauss RS, McMahon AP. The cell surface membrane proteins Cdo and Boc are components and targets of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and feedback network in mice. Dev Cell 10(5):647-56, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16647304.
- Zhang W, Yi MJ, Chen X, Cole F, Krauss RS, Kang JS. Cortical thinning and hydrocephalus in mice lacking the immunoglobulin superfamily member CDO. Mol Cell Biol 26(10):3764-72, 2006. PMID: 16648472.
- Cole F, Zhang W, Geyra A, Kang JS, Krauss RS. Positive regulation of myogenic bHLH factors and skeletal muscle development by the cell surface receptor CDO. Dev Cell 7(6):843-54, 2004. PMID: 15572127.
- Kang JS, Yi MJ, Zhang W, Feinleib JL, Cole F, Krauss RS. Netrins and neogenin promote myotube formation. J Cell Biol 167(3):493-504, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15520228.
- Cole F, Krauss RS. Microform holoprosencephaly in mice that lack the Ig superfamily member Cdon. Curr Biol 13(5):411-5, 2003. PMID: 12620190.
Invited Articles
- Humphrey E, Cole F. How sex chromosomes break up to get together. Nature 582(7812):346-347, 2020. PMID: 32541910.
- Zelazowski MJ, Cole F. X marks the spot: PRDM9 rescues hybrid sterility by finding hidden treasure in the genome. Nat Struct Mol Biol 23(4):267-9, 2016. PMID: 27045445.
- Cole F. The sense and sensibility of strand exchange in recombination homeostasis. PLoS Genet 10(1):e1004104, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24465222.
- Cole F, Keeney S, Jasin M. Preaching about the converted: how meiotic gene conversion influences genomic diversity. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1267(1):95-102, 2012. PMID: 22954222.
- Cole F, Keeney S, Jasin M. Evolutionary conservation of meiotic DSB proteins: more than just Spo11. Genes Dev 24(12):1201-7, 2010. PMID: 20551169.
- Krauss RS, Cole F, Gaio U, Takaesu G, Zhang W, Kang JS. Close encounters: regulation of vertebrate skeletal myogenesis by cell-cell contact. J Cell Sci 118(Pt 11):2355-62, 2005. PMID: 15923648.
- Bergemann AD, Cole F, Hirschhorn K. The etiology of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Trends Genet 21(3):188-95, 2005. PMID: 15734578.
Book Chapters
- Cole F, Jasin M. Isolation of meiotic recombinants from mouse sperm. In: Methods Mol Biol, 251-82, 2011.
Books (edited and written)
- Francesca Cole. Meiosis in Development and Disease. In: Current Topics in Developmental Biology. Ed(s) Francesca Cole, 2-369, 2023.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Start up funds |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Mechanisms of mutagenesis |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Mechanistic derivation of germ line mutation by genome-wide mouse tetrad analysis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/OD/NICHD |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Determine how tobacco exposure influences meiotic recombination integrity |
| Funding Source: | Tobacco Pilot Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | CPRIT Research Training Award |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Title: | Structural and enzymatic roles of EXO1 in meiotic recombination |
| Funding Source: | MDACC |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Title: | How age-dependent alterations in meiotic recombination cause chromosome mis-segregation in sperm |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NICHD |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Determine How Tobacco Exposure Influences Meiotic Recombination Integrity |
| Funding Source: | Tobacco Pilot Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Why juvenile mouse spermatocytes mis-segregate chromosomes |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Determine How Tobacco Exposure Influences Meiotic Recombination Integrity |
| Funding Source: | Tobacco Pilot Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | How recombination ensures homolog pairing in mammalian meiosis |
| Funding Source: | UTMDACC Andrew Sabin Family Fellows |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified June 10, 2024