Description of Research Expertise

Research Interests
Oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, molecular genetics of GI cancers (colon, pancreatic, upper GI)

Key words: Cancers: esophageal, pancreatic, colon Oncogenes: EGFR, cyclin D1, Ki-Ras Organotypic culture

Description of Research
Our laboratory has had long-standing thematic interests in the cell-type and tissue-type specific actions of certain oncogenes (cyclin D1, Ki-Ras, EGFR) and tumor suppressor genes (p53, p16INK4a) in modulating the initiation, progression and invasion of gastrointestinal cancers, especially upper GI, pancreatic and colon. To that end, we employ novel three-dimensional cell culture systems (mouse and human origins) and geneticaly-engineered mouse models to investigate molecular mechanisms. These projects are translated into the objectives of improving molecular diagnostics and experimental therapeutics in patients.

Our research is funded through an NCI program project entitled "Mechanisms of Esophageal Carcinogenesis", NIH R01 grant on pancreatic cancer, and NIH R01 grant on colon cancer. Students and postdoctoral fellows are supported in didactic venues and conferences, present at national meetings, and have obtained national grant fellowships when applicable.

Rotation Projects for 2012-2013
1. To understand the role of oncogenes (EGFR, cyclin D1, Ras) and tumor suppressor genes (p53, p120catenin) in the tumor microenvironment as they relate to tumor cell migration and invasion in GI cancers, using organotypic culture and mouse models.
2. To define mechanisms underlying cell lineage during pancreatic development and cancer
3. To functionally characterize oncogenes in colon cancers.
4. To functionally characterize stem cells in the upper GI tract.


Lab Personnel:
Basil Bakir, MD PhD student, CAMB (thesis project)
Kathryn Hamilton, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (NIH F32 fellowship Steffen Heeg, MD, Postdoctoral Researcher (German Cancer Society fellowship)
Christopher Hahn, BA Research Specialist
Jiri Kalabis, MD, PhD Sr. Research Investigator
Tatiana Karakasheva, PhD student, CAMB (thesis project)
Apple Long, MD PhD student, CAMB (thesis project)
Blair Madison, PhD, Research Associate (NIH K01 grant)
Ben Rhoades, M.B., Research specialist and lab manager
Max Reichert, MD, Postdoctoral Researcher (National Pancreas Foundation fellowship)
Shigetsugu Takano, MD Postdoctoral fellow
Maria Vega, PhD student, CAMB (thesis project; NIH T32 training grant)
Gabrielle Wong, PhD student, CAMB (thesis project; NIH T32 training grant)
Todd Waldron, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (NIH F32 fellowship)

Recently in Lab:
Daniel Abravanel, University of Pennsylvania, Rotating MD, PhD Student Claudia Andl, PhD, Research Associate (recipient of NIH K01 grant and AGA Research Scholar Award). Now faculty at Vanderbilt University.
Amy Demicco,University of Pennsylvania, Rotating PhD Student Brent Fargnoli, University of Pennsylvania undergraduate student (University and Ben Franklin Scholar). Now medical student at University of Pennsylvania.
Christie Gutierrez, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate student (AGA student fellowship) Katharine D. Grugan, PhD,Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of NIH F32 fellowship). Currently, at Centocor.
Cameron Johnstone, PhD, Research Investigator (recipient of American Association for Cancer Research fellowship and Department of Defense grant). Now at Peter McCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Elizabeth Kennedy, University of Pennsylvania, Rotating PhD student Catrina King, PhD Received her PhD in Dec 2010; graduate of VMD program. Now a resident at Columbia University Medical Center Carmen Z. Michaylira, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of NIH F32 fellowship) Charles Miller, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate student Perry Mongroo, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow.
Keeley Mui, University of Pennsylvania, Rotating PhD Student Anna-Sophie Rich, University of Pennsylvania, Medical Student (recipient of NIH/NIDDK fellowship) Doug Stairs, PhD, Now Assistant Professor of Pathology, Hershey Medical Center (Recipient of NIH F32 fellowship and NIH K99-R00 grant in lab) Jonathan Toung, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate Student (Vagelos Scholar) Johannes von Burstin, MD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of DFG fellowship). At Technical University, Munich, Germany.
Melanie P. Wescott, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of National Pancreas Foundation fellowship) Louise Wang, University of Pennsylvania, undergraduate student (NIH fellowship). Now medical student at Stanford University Rafi Winograd, University of Pennsylvania Rotating MD PhD student Bihui (Claudia) Xu, University of Pennsylvania Rotating PhD student Yao Yao, University of Pennsylvania, Rotating DVM PhD Student