Finding what it takes to make a white blood cell could lead to new cancer treatment

August 27, 2026

See the full article: https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/finding-what-it-takes-make-white-blood-cell-c…

Human leukemia cells — An image of human leukemia cells captured by Raquel Espin Palazon, an associate professor genetics, development and cell biology at Iowa State University. A research team led by Espin Palazon discovered two essential components to the formation of some types of white blood cells, which could lead to a new treatment option for some leukemia patients. *Photo courtesy of Raquel Espin Palazon/Iowa State University.*

Raquel Espin Palazon,, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor — Raquel Espin Palazon, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor

An Iowa State University-led research team identified two essential components — a pervasive protein and a crucial cellular signaling pathway — needed to make some types of blood cells, a discovery that could lead to a new treatment for leukemia. The team is led by Raquel Espin Palazon, genetics, development and cell biology associate professor.

Discover more about the research being conducted in the Espin Palazon Lab in the Iowa State News Services' article, "Finding what it takes to make a white blood cell could lead to new cancer treatment."