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James Palis, M.D.

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Appointment (585) 275-2981

Office (585) 275-5098

Fax (585) 276-0233

Administrative (585) 273-2428

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James Palis, M.D.

About Me
Credentials
Research
Publications

About Me

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology (SMD)

Northumberland Trust Professorship in Pediatrics - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)

Professor - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 1984 - 1988

Residency in Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 1981 - 1984

Education

MD | University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Medicine. 1981

BA | University of Rochester. Biology and Hellenic Studies. 1975

Awards

Donald Metcalf Award. 2022

Dean's Lecture. 2022

Ruth Lawrence Award for Research Excellence. 2021

Davey Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Research. 2015 - 2015

George Washington Goler Associate Professor of Pediatrics. 2005

George Washington Goler Professor of Pediatrics. 2005

University of Rochester Postdoctoral Academic Mentoring Award. 1999

Second Choremion Research Award, Athens, Greece. 1982

Research

Dr. Palis' research interests are:
1) Ontogeny of the mammalian hematopoietic system,
2) Differentiation of the erythroid lineage,
3) Erythroid precursor self-renewal, and
4) Response of the hematopoietic system to ionizing radiation

Hematopoietic stem cells responsible for the production of blood cells throughout life arise during embryogenesis. However, the mechanisms that initiate blood cell development are largely unknown. The long-term aim of Dr. Palis' laboratory is to elucidate the cellular and molecular events underlying the initiation of hematopoiesis in the mammalian embryo. The first hematopoietic cells to emerge during mammalian embryogenesis are "primitive" red cells that are necessary for survival of the fetus. Their recent studies indicate that the primitive erythroid lineage in mice as "mammalian", rather than "non-mammalian" in character. Primitive erythropoiesis will thus serve as an important model of mammalian erythroid differentiation. Hematopoiesis originates in the yolk sac of embryos and transitions to the liver of the fetus. Two waves of hematopoietic progenitors have been identified in the yolk sac prior to colonization of the liver and the lineage composition and relationships of these primitive and definitive progenitor waves are under active investigation. Their studies indicate that the onset of hematopoiesis within the yolk sac of mammals is much more complex than previously thought.

The hematopoietic system of the adult is exquisitely sensitive to xenotoxic insults. The Palis laboratory is investigating the response of the erythroid and megakaryocyte lineages to ionizing radiation. These studies will provide for the rational use of cytokines and other agents to mitigate the deleterious effects of external radiation.

An understanding of the ontogeny of mammalian hematopoiesis and its response to damage will ultimately produce insights into the regulation and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. These insights will also lead to a better understanding of genetic disorders, bone marrow failure syndromes and leukemias, ultimately leading to improvements in bone marrow transplantation for the curative treatment of numerous congenital anemias, genetic diseases, and several forms of childhood and adult cancers.