Research Overview:

With the advent of recent and exciting new opportunities in the study of regulatory pathways, mutations, and colon carcinogenesis, I am interested in the signaling pathways, including molecular and cellular mechanisms of crypt homeostasis in the large intestine as well as the investigation of the stem cell origin of colorectal cancer (CRC). I am particularly interested in small genetic elements, called microRNAs, which are involved in the genesis of colon tumors, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs were discovered only a few years ago and are now known to be major genetic control elements that turn on and off gene expression. Many of these small regulators play a key role in driving normal cells to become cancerous. A second interest is in cancer stem cells, especially those of the colon. Another major research focus involves characterizing normal and malignant colonic stem cells in order to understand their role in the origin of colon cancer. Using specific markers that recognize colonic stem cells, our laboratory can identify and isolate colon cancer stem cells. Research on cancer stem cells holds great promise in developing new diagnostic markers and curative treatments for advanced forms of this deadly malignancy. A third research focus is in use of mathematical modeling to study kinetic mechanisms that lead to development of stem cell overpopulation that drives tumor growth. This research uses a systems biology approach to integrate kinetic models, microarray expression profiling, proteomics, bioinformatics and signaling pathway analyses to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in normal colonic epithelial homeostasis and how dysregulation of these mechanisms contribute to the development of colon cancer.

Delaware Biotechnology Institute
590 Avenue 1743 • Newark, DE 19713
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