William G. Schuett, Jr., Multiple Myeloma Research Laboratory
Our primary research interest concerns multiple myeloma, a neoplasm of terminally differentiated, immunoglobulin-producing B lymphocytes that reside in the hematopoietic bone marrow and are called plasma cells. We use genetically engineered mouse models of human myeloma as the principal experimental model system to elucidate mechanisms of malignant plasma cell development and evaluate new approaches to myeloma treatment and prevention. Working in close association with our clinical colleagues in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, we employ a bench-to-bedside-and-back strategy to translate laboratory advances to curing myeloma.
The laboratory is generously supported by an endowment in memory of William G. Schuett, Jr., a cancer advocate and business leader who lost his battle with myeloma after a long, heroic fight. The laboratory was established in 2018 and is directed by Dr. Siegfried Janz, the inaugural William G. Schuett, Jr., Multiple Myeloma Endowed Chair.
About the PI
After obtaining his medical degree and board certification in Clinical Immunology from the University of Leipzig, Germany, Siegfried Janz joined the Laboratory of Genetics at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, Maryland. He performed studies on the inflammation-dependent peritoneal plasmacytoma, the first-generation mouse model of human plasma cell neoplasms such as multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma and plasma cell leukemia. His tenure at NCI shaped an enduring fascination with fundamental and translational research into plasma cell malignancies.
In 2007 Janz joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa (UI) Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine as a full research professor to conduct studies on second-generation mouse models of human myeloma dependent on deregulated expression of the cellular oncogene MYC (c-myc). This work took advantage of gene-insertion mice generated in the Janz Lab to mimic different fine structures of the human MYC-activating t(8;14)(q24;q32) translocation. As leader of the cancer genetics program, he was actively engaged in research efforts at the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In 2018 Janz relocated his laboratory to the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Milwaukee, where he joined the Clinical Cancer Center and its Developmental Therapeutics Program. Janz currently works on an NCI-supported project (2R01CA151354), entitled “Biological validation of candidate myeloma genes,” that seeks to elucidate genetic pathways underlying malignant plasma cell transformation. Additionally, he serves as a subcontractor on a NCI project (1R01CA214246) directed by Dr. Alan Lichtenstein, UCLA, concerned with the mechanism by which the ribonucleoprotein hnRNP A1 regulates the translation of MYC message in myeloma cells.
Lab Members

Michael Pisano, BS
Lab Technician III

Hannah Uttley, BA
Research Technologist I

Grant Yun, BS
Medical Student

Liang Zhang, MD, PhD
Research Associate II

Vivian Zhou, PhD
Research Associate II
Current Research
Validation of forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) as a new therapeutic target in high-risk myeloma
Regulation of c-Myc proto-oncogene (MYC) translation by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRPA1)
Contact Us
William G. Schuett, Jr., Multiple Myeloma Research Laboratory
(414) 955-5782