Description of Research Expertise

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My laboratory is interested in functional genomics approaches to discovering gene programs that experimentally regulate and clinically predict cancer metastasis and its resistance to treatment.

KEYWORDS: Metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, radiation resistance, DNA damage, breast cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, bioinformatics, genomics, microRNA, STAT1, interferon.

RESEARCH DETAILS:
The two most daunting obstacles in the clinical management of cancer are metastasis, or the spread of tumor cells from its origin to distant sites in the body, and resistance to chemotherapy and/or radiation, which are two primary means of treating the disease. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms that drive these central and elusive problems in oncology have remained poorly understood.

Our laboratory is focused on understanding how cancer cells acquire metastatic and treatment resistant phenotypes. Recent evidence suggests that these two traits are acquired during tumorigenesis by antagonistic forces encountered as tumors grow and interact with their environment. Key among these selective pressures include inflammation, overcoming senescence and apoptosis, and barriers imposed by surrounding stroma. Because the biology of these selective pressures can overlap with molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis and treatment resistance, genetic alterations that occur as a response to these pressures may predispose tumors to acquire a metastatic and/or treatment-resistant phenotype.

In order to better understand the basis for metastasis and treatment resistance, we utilize a multi-disciplinary approach towards both experimental and translational research goals. Hypothesis generation and testing relies on a systems biology paradigm that incorporates animal models, molecular biology, functional genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical correlation. Using these methods we and colleagues have identified gene expression signatures and signaling pathways that not only predict but also regulate cancer phenotypes such as aggressive organ-selective metastasis and resistance to DNA damaging agents (chemotherapy and radiation). Some of these signatures and pathways are expressed across multiple common human cancers including breast and brain cancer. Genes that regulate the expression or function of the signatures include microRNAs, interferon-related genes, and ubiquitin modifiers. Thus, gene signatures and the signaling pathways that control them point toward relevant biology that can be dissected and provide clinical tools for prognosis, prediction, and potential therapeutic targeting.

ROTATION PROJECTS:
Many rotation projects related to the research interests described are available. Please contact Dr. Minn to inquire.

LAB PERSONNEL:
Taewon Yoon, Postdoctoral researcher
Yu Qiu, Postdoctoral researcher
Danielle Loughlin, Postdoctoral researcher
Christina Twyman, Fellow
Tony Wu, Research specialist
Bihui Xu, Graduate student
Barzin Nabet, Graduate student
Erik Clarke, Rotation student