Research Interests
Translational Molecular Oncology
We are particularly interested in the study of cancers dependent upon alterations in signal transduction pathways. Using both pharmacologic and genetic functional assays, current studies in the laboratory are focused on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and the VHL/HIF pathways in kidney and prostate cancers.
Our research starts with the identification of key genetic changes that are commonly found within these tumors and then uses this knowledge to elucidate the mechanisms whereby these genetic alterations support tumor growth, survival, metastasis and other hallmarks of the cancer phenotype. In pursuit of this goal, we have established relevant preclinical and clinical systems for kidney and prostate cancer in which changes in a drugs proposed molecular target can be correlated with drug dose, serum level, and antitumor activity.
Next, working with patient tumor samples (e.g. derived from biopsies as well as circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood), we translate these findings into clinically applicable diagnostics.
In the Section of Cell and Molecular Biology (including the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology)
