Cancer

The personalized diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer.

Cancer models have been utilized to define properties of the anti-tumor response and factors that regulate the function of distinct cellular populations. The overarching results highlight the importance of the Wnt signaling pathways that utilize the canonical pathways but also new pathways that don’t utilize the canonical pathways. These pathways may also be significantly impacted by Notch signaling. Novel cellular functions have been identified and the hope is that it will lead to innovative therapeutic approaches to treat cancer. In addition, studies of the Wnt antagonist DKK1 in the chronic parasitic infections by Leishmania major are being utilized to define the primary mechanistic interactions that lead to the infections.

We aim to understand the mechanisms of HPV infection, the cellular responses to HPV infection, and how the interplay between host and virus influences the outcome

I am investigating a human connective tissue disorder in mice. I am also investigating the role of gut bacteria in colon cancer risk in both a mouse model of colon cancer and in humans with colon cancer.

Janet Funk's work includes a focus on metastatic breast cancer that spans the research spectrum from bench to bedside, translational arthritis studies of the pharmacokinetics and safety of turmeric, and collaborative endocrinological studies evaluating the effects of obesity and insulin resistance on bone development in Hispanic girls, as well as effects of obesity on breast cancer risk in older women.

Bernard Futscher's lab is studying the molecular origins of human cancer. Understanding epigenetic dysfunction in human cancer has been Dr. Futscher's primary research focus since establishing his own independent laboratory. This epigenetic research has moved into the area of noncoding RNAs and their potential role in cancer cell immortality.

Chengcheng Hu has worked on a broad range of areas including cancer, occupational health, HIV/AIDS, and aging. He has extensive collaborative research in conducting methodological research in the areas of survival analysis, longitudinal data, high-dimensional data, and measurement error. His current methodological interest, arising from studies of viral and human genetics and biomarkers, is to develop innovative methods to investigate the relationship between high-dimensional information and longitudinal outcomes or survival endpoints.

Kirsten Limesand's research program has its foundation in radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction; mechanisms of damage, clinical prevention measures, and restoration therapies. They utilize a number of techniques including: genetically engineered mouse models, real-time RT/PCR, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, primary cultures, siRNA transfections, and procedures to quantitate salivary gland physiology and integrate this information in order to understand the complete system.

Dr. Margolis is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with sub-specialty certification in hand surgery. In addition to treating patients he oversees the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratories within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

We seek to produce new drugs that harness molecules produced during the natural immune response in order to treat cancer and pain. Such compounds may also provide new treatments for heart failure and alcoholism.

We are studying how tumor cells escape immunosurveillance, a hallmark of cancer, in aggressive lymphomas. MHCII is a protein important for immunosurveillance. We are studying the underlying mechanisms of altered regulation of MHCII in lymphoma cells and its effects on tumor immunosurveillance.

We combine chemical and computer vision approaches to discover how regenerative tissues process environmental information to promote accurate cell fate decisions and prevent uncontrolled cell growth.