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 2007-2008
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 novel suppressor genes in colon and breast cancers.
4. To functionally characterize stem cells in the upper GI tract.


Lab Personnel:
Katharine D. Grugan, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of NIH NRSA fellowship)
Jiri Kalabis, MD, PhD Postdoctoral fellow (NIH T32 postdoctoral fellowship)
Catrina King, Combined DVM PhD degree student in CAMB (thesis project; recipient of NIH fellowship)
Perry Mongroo, PhD, Posdoctoral fellow
Hiroshi Nakagawa, MD, PhD, Research Associate Professor (recipient of NIH K01 and R01 grants and AGA Research Scholar Award)
M. Natsuizaka, MD, Postdoctoral fellow
Shinya Ohashi, MD, Postdoctoral fellow
Ben Rhoades, M.B., Research specialist and lab manager
Max Reichert, MD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of National Pancreas Foundation fellowship)
Doug Stairs, PhD,Research Associate (recipient of NIH NRSA fellowship and NCI K99-R00 mentored/independence grant)
Elisa Singer, University of Pennsylvania, medical student
Johannes von Burstin, MD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of DFG fellowship)
Maria Vega, PhD student in CAMB (thesis project)
Gabrielle Wong, PhD student in CAMB (thesis project; recipient of T32 training grant, pre doc slot)
Lauren Wang, University of Pennsylvania, undergraduate student (NIH 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.
Christie Gutierrez, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate student (AGA student fellowship)
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
Carmen Z. Michaylira, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of NIH NRSA fellowship)
Charles Miller, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate student
Anna-Sophie Rich, University of Pennsylvania, Medical Student (recipient of NIH/NIDDK fellowship)
Jonathan Toung, University of Pennsylvania, Undergraduate Student (Vagelos Scholar)
Melanie P. Wescott, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow (recipient of National Pancreas Foundation fellowship)
Yao Yao, University of Pennsylvania, Rotating DVM PhD Student