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Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory

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Research

The mission of the Mammary Biology and Tumorigenesis Laboratory is to conduct research on development, differentiation, and tumorigenesis in the mammary gland. The goal is to utilize multidisciplinary approaches encompassing areas such as endocrinology, molecular genetics, stem cell biology, growth factors, oncogenes, cell signaling, and animal model systems to understand the pathobiology of breast cancer. Specific areas of research include, but are not limited to, studies on local, hormonally driven, and growth factor-mediated regulatory mechanisms associated with normal mammary gland development and tumorigenesis; the role of the uncommitted (stem) cells in the processes of immortalization, senescence, regeneration, premalignant hyperplasia, and tumorigenesis; and identification of novel genes heretofore unrecognized in mammary cancer and the unraveling of their associated biochemical pathways.

Dr. Barbara Vonderhaar's research examines local, hormonally driven growth regulatory mechanisms associated with normal mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. Particular emphasis has been placed on clarification of the role(s) of prolactin and the variety of prolactin receptor isoforms expressed within mammary tissues in concert with estrogen, progesterone, and growth factors during these events.

Dr. Gilbert H. Smith is studying the role of the uncommitted (stem) cells in the mammary gland with respect to their role in the processes of immortalization, senescence, regeneration, premalignant hyperplasia, and tumorigenesis in the mammary gland.

Dr. Robert Callahan's research focus includes the identification of novel genes heretofore unrecognized in mammary cancer and the unraveling of their associated biochemical pathways. Of immediate interest is the signaling interaction among the Notch gene family and other genes known to affect mammary growth and differentiation.

Dr. David Salomon's major research interest centers around the understanding of the interplay among mammotropic hormones, growth factors and their receptors, and oncogenes in mammary gland development, function, and carcinogenesis, with special interest in the EGF-CFC family of cripto-related genes and their interactive partners.

This page was last updated on 2/7/2008.