Description of Research Expertise

Oxidative stress, carcinogenesis, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease
Oxidative stress results in damage to lipids through the formation of lipid hydroperoxides. Our laboratory is involved in determining the factors that control lipid hydroperoxide-mediated damage to DNA, and proteins. We are also characterizing the lesions in these macromolecules using novel mass spectrometry methodology, determining how the lesions affect proliferation and apoptosis using model in vitro systems, and assessing how such processes can be prevented using novel pharmacological agents. We also have a program in biomarker discovery and analysis, which is focused on metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers of smoking, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. This involves the use of quantitative stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methodology. We recently implement the use of stable isotope dilution by essential nutrients in cell culture (SILEC) as a method for analyzing important Krebs cycle coenzyme A-thioesters. This has made it possible to examine the effects of chemicals and disease on mitochondrial dysfunction.