Division of Genetic and Epigenetic Toxicology, Human Adult Stem Cell Biology and Oncology (Basic Research)
Meet the faculty and learn about their research interests:
André S. Bachmann, PhD
- Cancer cell biology, clinical drug advancement in pediatric cancer neuroblastoma.
- Investigation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamines.
- Repurposing of a FDA-approved trypanosomiasis drug (ODC inhibitor DFMO) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma cancer.
- Natural products drug discovery and proteasome inhibitors (syrbactins)
- Cancer endosomes/exosomes and PRAF2-dependent regulation of vesicle traffic
James E. Trosko, PhD
- Mechanisms of the initiation, promotion and progression phases of human carcinogenesis.
- The shared roles of cell-cell communication in birth defects, tumor promotion, immuno-modulation, atherogenesis, diabetigenesis, reproductive- and neuro-toxicities.
- Interaction of genetic and environmental (dietary) factors in human childhood diseases.
- Development of new chemopreventive & chemotherapeutic strategies for disease prevention and treatment based on modulating adult human stem cells and cell–cell communication.
- Development of both in vitro & in vivo assays to detect either chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agents or for toxicological testing.
- Isolation and characterization of human adult stem cells for mechanistic role in human cancer, for toxicity testing and for new drug development (pancreas, prostate, breast, liver, brain).
- Theoretical basis of maternal modulation of embryonic/fetal adult stem cells by exposure to drugs, environmental agents and dietary factors that can influence health & diseases in offspring.
- Modulation of adult stem cell pool and quality of adult stem cells on aging and diseases of aging.
- Role of toxin/toxicant induced redox changes on intracellular signaling that affects homeostatic control of cell behavior in tissues.
- Chemical toxicants as epigenetic modulators rather than as mutagens.
- Concepts of human nature as they apply to ethical principles.
Chia-Cheng Chang, PhD
Professor Emeritus
- Human adult stem cells (liver, kidney) for toxicity screening (NIH-funded, 2005-2010).
- Chemical supplementation in cell culture to enhance pluripotency and to develop human and animal stem cells (pancreatic, kidney, liver, adipose- or bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, etc) for clinical applications.
- Stem cells as target cells for carcinogenesis; cellular and molecular mechanisms of neoplastic transformation for breast, kidney, liver cancers and sarcoma.
Current Graduate students: Manish Neupane, Sun Tae Kim, Kannika Siripattarapravat.
B.V. Madhukar, PhD
- Mechanisms of epigenetic effects of halogenated aromatics (NIH funded 2000-2007).
- Isolation and characterization of precursor cells from neonatal rat cerebellum
- Pluripotent stem-like cells from adult human pancreatic tissue.
Brad L. Upham, PhD
- Determining the molecular mechanisms of environmental and food borne toxicants at the epigenetic level using in vitro stem cell model systems.
- Development of new proteomic and metabolomic approaches in mapping out novel signal transduction pathways activated in a cell’s response to extracellular signals including environmental toxicants.
- Establishing the role of reactive oxygen in oxidative signaling controlling cell fate.
- Determining the mode of action of natural and synthetic chemopreventative agents.
- Development of novel nano- and micro-sensors for the analyses of metabolites.
- Design and assessment of environmental engineering remediation systems.
Karen Friderici, PhD
(joint appointment with Microbiology and Molecular Genetics)
- Mapping and identification of hearing loss genes
- Pathophysiology of mutations in the gamma-actin gene
- Identification and definition of a region controlling the expression of the Connexin 26 gene and its role in congenital recessive hearing impairment
Collaborators:
- Jill Elfenbein, PhD, Communicative Disorders
- Rachel Fisher, MB, BS, PhD, Pediatrics and Human Development
NIH funded
Identification of genes contributing to ADHD
Collaborators:
- Joel Nigg, PhD, Psychology
- Marsha Rappley, MD, Pediatrics and Human Development
NIH Funded
Brian C. Schutte, PhD
(joint appointment with Microbiology and Molecular Genetics)
- Discovery of genes involved in cleft lip and palate
- Function and regulation of expression of the IRF6 gene during development of face, skin and placenta and during cutaneous wound healing
- Pathophysiology of mutations in IRF6 gene
- Community-based participatory research to discover genes involved in common, complex disease such as Alzheimer disease, longevity and hypertension.
Collaborators:
- Debra Schutte, RN, MSN, PhD, College of Nursing
- Karen Freiderici, PhD, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pediatrics and Human Development
- Rachel Fisher, MB, BS, PhD, Pediatrics and Human Development
- Jill Elfenbein, PhD, Communicative Disorders
- Qing Lu, PhD, Department of Epidemiology
NIH funded
Cloning and characterization of the Van der Woude syndrome gene
Rachel Fisher, MBBS, PhD
- Mapping and identification of hearing loss genes (see Dr. Friderici)
- Identification of precursors and pathways to cerebral palsy
Collaborative group led by Nigel Paneth, MD, Epidemiology
Development of novel methods to store biological samples and development of a Biotrust
Collaborators:
- Nigel Paneth, MD. Epidemiology
- Clark Radcliffe, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
- Patricia Senacore, MD, Physiology
- Jon Sticklen, PhD, Computer Science
- William Punch, PhD, Computer Science
Development of methods to tabulate and record large family/population isolate data
Collaborator:
- Joseph Bonner, MS, Biomedical Research and Informatics Center