Burns Lab Publications
Featured Publications and Preprints
karlow, J., et al. (2026) • biorxiv
LINE-1 retrotransposition is a recurrent cause of MET exon 14 skipping in cancer
Here we report 9 cases in which long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1, L1)-mediated insertions within or adjacent to MET exon 14 cause exon skipping. These describe the first recurrent and clinically actionable mutations caused by LINE-1 retrotransposition in cancer.
MENDEZ-Dorantes, C., et al. (2026) • Nature Communications
LINE-1 insertion intermediates recombine with one another or with DNA breaks to form genome rearrangements
We built novel reporters to show that L1 retrotransposition cDNA intermediates can recombine with distal DNA breaks or become entangled with one other to generate chromosomal rearrangements.
taylor, M.S., et al. (2023) • Cancer Discovery
Ultrasensitive Detection of Circulating LINE-1 ORF1p as a Specific Multicancer Biomarker
To explore ORF1p as a blood-based biomarker, we engineered ultrasensitive digital immunoassays that detect mid-attomolar (10^−17 mol/L) ORF1p concentrations in plasma across multiple cancers.
ardeljan, d., et al. (2020) • nature molecular and structural biology
Cell fitness screens reveal a conflict between LINE-1 retrotransposition and DNA replication
LINE-1 retrotransposon overexpression is a hallmark of human cancers. We identified a colorectal cancer wherein a fast-growing tumor subclone downregulated LINE-1, prompting us to examine how LINE-1 expression affects cell growth.
rodić, N., et al. (2015) • nature medicine
Retrotransposon insertions in the clonal evolution of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
We found evidence of somatic LINE-1 insertions in PDAC genomes, which were absent from corresponding normal samples. Our findings show that LINE-1 contributes to the genetic evolution of PDAC and suggest that somatic insertions are acquired discontinuously.