(alphabetical by last name)
A - G | H - M | N
- U | V -
Z
Bruce M. Boman, M.D., Ph.D., Director Cancer Genetics and Stem Cell Biology
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. Using specific markers that recognize cancer stem cells, our laboratory can detect the presence of such cells in colon cancers and relate this to disease progression and prognosis. A third interest is in using mathematical modeling techniques to study expansion of cancer cell populations in dynamically reorganizing tissues.
Daniel D. Carson, Ph.D.
Role of extracellular matrix proteins and
mucins in cancer growth, metastasis and disease progression with
a focus on cancers of the female reproductive system including uterine
and breast cancer.
Junghuei Chen, Ph.D.
Genetic instability and cancer. Chromosome
remodeling activity of human genes Rad54 (hRad54) and Rad51 (hRad51)
in cancer biology, interactions of tumor suppressor, p53, with both
human Rad51 and human Rad54 that have been postulated to modulate
homologous recombination in response to DNA damage.
Carlton R. Cooper, Ph.D.
The role of cell adhesion in prostate cancer
preferential metastasis to bone. Angiogeneis (new blood vessel formation)
in tumor biology. New anti-cancer drugs that target migration of
blood vessels into tumors.
Randall L. Duncan, Ph.D.
We are examining the role of ion channels in aberrant proliferation
and apoptosis, as well as tumorigenic and metastatic potential, in
prostate cancer. Voltage sensitive sodium, calcium and potassium
channels have all been linked to increased tumorigenesis and metastatsis
in prostate cancer. We postulate that these channels are synchronized
to alter signaling mechanisms within the prostate cancer cell.
Mary C. Farach-Carson, Ph.D.
Bone metastasis of prostate cancer,
bone cancers (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma) role of heparan sulfate
proteoglycans and extracellular matrix in growth factor responses
of cancer cells, 3-D cell culture models for testing anti-tumor agents,
calcium channels in cancer related bone pain.
Deni Galileo, Ph.D.
Brain cancer, particularly highly invasive gliomas
that arise within the brain and metastatic cancers that arise elsewhere,
such as breast cancer metastases, and move to the brain. Methods
to grow human brain cancer cells in developing chicken eggs, where
they can be visualized and used for testing novel anti-cancer drugs.
Use of quantitative time-lapse microscopy and cell motility analysis
system to look at how cancer cells move in real time.
Pamela J. Green, Ph.D.
RNA biology in cancer cells including mRNA
stability, the function of ribonucleases and noncoding RNAs. Collaborative
study of vertebrate small RNAs, such as microRNAs, that function
to turn off specific genes, is relevant to the understanding and
future treatment of cancer.
George Hadjipanayis,
Ph.D. and Michael Bonder,
Ph.D.
Within the Magnetics Lab in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
we are developing magnetic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery
and the detection and treatment of cancer. Investigations as a function
of particle size and saturation magnetization are being carried out
on polymer coated nanoparticles to understand the role these play
in establishing effective MRI contrast agents and the ability to
locally heat cancer cells for hyperthermia treatments. Drug delivery
studies focus on the functionalization of the nanoparticles with
bio-molecules and their manipulation with magnetic field gradients.
Stan Ivey, Ph.D. (Delaware
State University Affiliate Member)
The effect glycosylation has on human P-glycoprotein; possible role
of
sialic acids. Using lasers to detect blood biomarkers for the early
detection of ovarian cancer.
Xinqiao Jia, Ph.D.
Tissue engineering replacement tissues for head
and neck cancers and tissues damaged by radiation therapy including
salivary gland and vocal cord.
Kristi L. Kiick, Ph.D.
Design of noncovalently assembled, heparinized hydrogels. Controlled
delivery of growth factors, macromolecules, and drugs for cancer
chemotherapy, wound treatment, and tissue regeneration.
Paula Klemm, DNSc, RN, OCN
Internet support for cancer patients and
caregivers. Psychosocial adjustment to illness.
John T. Koh, Ph.D.
Molecular design and synthesis of bioactive compounds targeting nuclear
receptors. Chemical rescue of nuclear receptor mutations associated
with anti-androgen withdrawal syndrome (prostate cancer), resistance
to thyroid hormone and rickets. Chemical tools for the study of hormone
signaling by estrogen and thyroid hormone.
Jean-Philippe Laurenceau, Ph.D.
My primary area of scholarly interest concerns close relationships (e.g., spouses, intimate partners), an area immediately impacted by a cancer diagnosis in a family. My work has two parts: basic research on close relationship processes such as intimacy, relational approach/avoidance sensitivities, and applied research on interventions targeting the prevention of the real-world problem of relationship dysfunction. A second area of interest is in the application of modern quantitative methods for the assessment and analysis of change. Our research group is currently collecting data in collaboration with a health psychologist at Christiana's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. The overarching purpose of this project is a) to test the implementation of an electronic dyadic daily diary methodology and b) to examine psychosocial and interpersonal processes in the daily lives of couples in which one partner is a woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer soon after surgery.
Rob Mason, Ph.D.
Sensitivity of childhood cancer to protease inhibitors,
in particular cancers of the nervous system. Development of
specific protease inhibitors and silencing RNA that target proteases
as cancer therapies. Development and testing of tumor-specific
drugs. Use of state of the art proteomic technologies to identify
new mechanisms to selectively kill cancer cells. Biomarkers
to aid diagnosis of pediatric disease progression.
Mary Ann McLane, Ph.D.
Molecular mechanisms involved in cancer metastasis.
Melanoma. Use of disintegrins obtained from snake venom to prevent
metastasis of malignant melanoma to lung tissue.
Ulhas P. Naik, Ph.D.
Tumor angiogenesis and tumor metastasis using
cell and in vivo models, focusing on breast and prostate cancer.
Marja Nevalainen, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Nevalainen's research program focuses on identifying protein kinase signaling pathways that mediate androgen-independent survival of prostate cancer cells, with special focus on Stat transcription factors. Recent results show that activation of Stat5 in primary prostate cancer predicts early disease recurrence. The current focus of Dr. Nevalainen’s research program is on identification of the molecular mechanisms in how Stat5 contributes to androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer, the individual roles of Stat5a vs. Stat5b as survival factors for prostate cancer cells, on testing whether Stat5 inhibition sensitizes prostate cancer cells for radiation and whether acetylation of Stat5a/b contributes to transcriptional activity of Stat5 in prostate cancer cells. Dr. Nevalainen aims to use the Jak-Stat5 pathway as a molecular target to establish approaches to induce effective killing of prostate cancer cells. The long-term objective of her research is to develop novel pharmaceutical strategies for prostate cancer therapy.
Babatunde Ogunnaike, Ph.D.
Development of multi-scale computational model of cancer that will be effective
for analysis, explanation, prediction, prognosis, and rational drug design.
To use process and control systems engineering perspective to design an effective
control system to personalize cancer treatment using individual clinical data.
Darrin Pochan, Ph.D.
Design and characterization of noncovalent peptide or polypeptide
hydrogels for use in surgical repair, wound treatment, or tissue
replacement after surgical resection of cancer. Polymer nanoparticles
for cancer therapy delivery.
John F. Rabolt, Ph.D.
Three dimensional models for cancer cell growth
and pharmacological testing including electrospunpolymer nanofibers,
tissue engineering
scaffolds, polymer surfaces and interfaces, nanostructures.
Ayyappan K. Rajasekaran, Ph.D.
Our laboratory studies the role
of Na,K-ATPase in epithelial cell development and cancer. We are
particularly interested in the biogenesis of tight junctions and
desmosomes as well as the role of the Na,K-ATPase in cell signaling,
epithelial morphogenesis and cancer. Additional projects focus on
the biology of prostate specific membrane antigen with an emphasis
on its intracellular trafficking and function.
Sigrid Rajasekaran, Ph.D.
We are interested in the link between
obesity and cancer, an area of particular importance in the epidemic
of childhood and adult obesity. Emphasis is on the regulation of
metabolic pathways by intracellular ions in obesity and cancer. A
second area of interest involves studies of intracellular ion homeostasis
and their dependence on regulation of signaling pathways. Translational
projects will evaluate the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of
measurement of intracellular sodium levels in cancer cells.
Joel Schneider, Ph.D.
Design of functional peptides and proteins
with antimicrobial activity for use in surgical repair and wound
treatment. Hydrogels for tissue replacement after surgical resection
of cancer.
Robert A. Sikes, Ph.D.
As prostate cancer becomes more aggressive and spreads, a significant number of men will be treated to reduce the male hormone that feeds prostate cancer growth. This is surgical or chemical castration, known as hormone ablation therapy (HAT) or combined androgen blockade (CAB). Within a few years, however, most prostate cancer becomes castration resistant and the growth of the disease is uncontrollable and there is no long term curative therapy available. Commonly, advanced prostate cancer involves spreading to bone resulting in significant numbers of fractures and cancer associated pain. Our research is defining the molecules involved in prostate cancer spreading (metastasis) and its interaction with the bone microenvironment that facilitates the growth and development of castration resistance. These molecules are being investigated as potential biomarkers and/or targets for therapy.
Daniel Simmons, Ph.D.
Malignant transformation by papillomaviruses.
screened a number of drugs obtained from Bill Gmeiner for their ability
to inhibit SV40 DNA replication and Y fork movement.
Kenneth van Golen, Ph.D.
Determining the role of the Rho GTPases
in the control of tumor cell progression and metastasis. We are particularly
interested in the role the Rho proteins in prostate cancer bone
metastasis; focusing
on their differential activation in the microcirculation, transdendothelial
cell migration and invasion into the bone. Our other interest is
in understanding the role of RhoC GTPase in the progression of
pancreatic cancer with a focus on expression in pre-invasive PanIN
lesions to metastatic diseases. Finally, we are interested in exploiting
the unique Rho GTPase profile of inflammatory breast cancer (an
extremely aggressive form of locally advanced breast cancer) to
develop novel therapies.
Dionisios G Vlachos, Ph.D.
Multiscale modeling to understand cellular signaling pathways,
and specifically dysregulations leading to cancer. To understand
how the spatial and temporal
aspects of the cellular signaling processes influence the stimulus-response
relationship, focusing on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)
that belongs to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases, also
known as ErbB receptors.
These receptors trigger a rich network of signaling pathways and regulate
cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation and migration,
and play a
key role in the genesis of several tumors.
Zhihao Zhuang, Ph.D.
Understand how cells cope with DNA lesion and avoid cancerous cell
transformation. Investigate the in-depth molecular mechanism of translesion
DNA synthesis (TLS), particularly its regulation by monoubiquitination
and deubiquitination enzymes. Study protein machineries with essential
roles in DNA damage response and cell-cycle checkpoint control. One
example is the clamp loader and the related clamp loader-like complexes,
which remodel protein targets at the cost of ATP hydrolysis. Understand
the molecular mechanism of DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair
pathway and its relation to the disease Fanconi anemia.
