Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor of Cancer Research and Teaching
NRB-939I, HMS | Pathology
77 Avenue Louis Pasteur
Boston, MA 02115
PH: 617-432-1960
FX: 617-432-2689
thomas_benjamin@hms.harvard.edu

Research Interests

 Our lab works on the polyoma virus - mouse host system for studies in experimental cancer research. Polyoma is a small DNA tumor virus (genome ~5kb) capable of transforming cells in culture and of rapidly inducing tumors in its natural host. Current areas of investigation include the following: 1) proto-oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation functions of the viral T antigens; 2) understanding the normal role of the viral oncogenes in the virus growth cycle; 3) studies of the pathway of cell entry and nuclear localization of the virus; 4) using a newly devised 'tumor host range' selection procedure to identify host tumor suppressor genes or other cellular targets of interaction with viral T antigens; 5) studies of the effects of the mouse genetic background on susceptibility and resistance to tumor induction by the virus. 6) development of a model of ovarian cancer in the mouse based on findings with polyoma virus.

Publications

 1. Velupillai, P., I. Yoshizawa, D.C. Dey, S.R. Nahill, J. Carroll, R. Bronson and T.L. Benjamin. Wild-derived inbred mice have a novel basis of susceptibility to polyoma virus induced tumors. (1999). J. Virol. 73: 10079-10085.

 2. Benjamin, T.L. Polyoma Virus: Old Findings and New Challenges. (2001). Virology. (Minireview) 289:167-173.

 3. Li, D., Dower, K., Ma, Y., Benjamin, T.L. A 'Tumor Host Range' Selection Procedure Identifies p150Sal2 as a target of Polyoma Large T Antigen. (2001). PNAS. 98:14619-14624.

 4. Tsai, B., Gilbert, J.M., Stehle, T., Lencer, W. and T.L. Benjamin.  Gangliosides are Receptors for Murine Polyoma Virus and SV40. (2003) EMBO J 22:4346-4355.

 5. Li, D., Tian, Y., Ma, Y. and T.L. Benjamin.  P150Sal2 Is a p53-independent regulator of p21Cip1/Waf1.  (2004) Mol. Cell Biolo. 24:3885-3893.

 6. Tian, Y., Li, D., Dahl, J., You, J., and T.L. Benjamin. Identification of TAZ as a Binding partner of the Polyoma virus T Antigens. (2004) J. Virol, 78:12657-12664.