Biomedical Graduate Studies

Description of Research Expertise

Research Interests
- Mechanisms of tumor-suppressor gene action
- Genome engineering in the mouse
- Role of the immune system in tumor suppression


Key Words: mouse modeling, tumor suppressors, tumor immunology, tumor microenvironment, lung cancer

Current Research In The Feldser Laboratory
The Feldser lab uses genetically engineered mouse models to study tumor progression and metastasis of common forms of human cancer. These models faithfully recapitulate many aspects of the histopathological progression of their human counterparts. Tumors initiate as lesions within the appropriate tissue microenvironment from single cells due to induced activation of latent oncogenes and/or deletion of key tumor suppressor genes. These lesions evolve through multiple cellular states toward malignant and metastatic disease. Our research is dedicated to deconstructing the multistep process of tumorigenesis. The major emphasis of our laboratory is to uncover the pathways that are disabled by mutational inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes as well as those pathways stimulated by aberrant oncogene activation. We focus on mouse models in order to employ novel genetic tools to regulate gene function in developing cancerous lesions as well as to track cancer growth and dissemination via bioluminescent and fluorescent techniques. We couple cellular, genomic and biochemical analyses to our powerful in vivo tools to discern the mechanics of tumor progression and metastasis with the goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies to eradicate malignant cells.

Rotation Projects
The Feldser Lab is seeking a thesis student to study a novel form of cell death that is induced by the p53 tumor suppressor. Our preliminary data demonstrate that reintroduction of p53 in small cell lung cancer induces a massive increase in ER-phagy, a directed autophagy program that recycles the endoplasmic reticulum, ultimately leading to cell swelling and necrosis. The thesis student would elucidate the molecular determinants of this new cell death program. Experimental platforms will involve in vivo mouse models and in vitro cell culture systems.

Please contact Dr. Feldser to discuss specific rotation projects.

Lab Members
Graduate Students:
Jonuelle Acosta, CB (2016)
Trip Freeburg, CB (2017)
Keren Adler, CB (2018)
Amy Gladstein, G&E (2019)
Katie Doerig, CB (2019)


Administrative contact:
Ashley Hughes
757 BRB II/III
ashughes@upenn.edu
215-898-8532