THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT
Molecular dissection of the cellular components of the microenvironment in tumor progression.
Identification of vicious paracrine loops between stromal cells and cancer cells.
Identification and targeting of the molecular pathways involved in switching bone marrow cells into pro-tumorigenic instigators.
Role of the bone marrow-derived microenvironment in mediating inflammation.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF METASTASIS
An integrated analysis of the epigenome, transcriptome and microRNAs to determine the molecular landscape of tumor metastasis.
Mechanisms of tumor-initiated paracrine effects on the lung stroma.
Identification and characterization of "metastatic niches"
ANALYSIS OF NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
Genomic analysis of disseminated tumor cells in NSCLC patients.
Determine the role of bone marrow microenvironments in conferring stemness and or dormancy to disseminated cells.
Use mouse models of lung cancer progression and metastasis to validate the findings from clinical samples.
PHYSOCHEMICAL TRANSDUCERS OF ANGIOGENESIS AND METASTASIS USING 3D MICROFLUIDIC TUMOR MODELS
Dissecting the role of hypoxia, cytokines, mechanical forces, shear stress etc using 3D tumor models (in collaboration with biomedical engineers, Cornell University, Ithaca).
CLINICAL TRANSLATION
Validation of preclinical observations in clinical samples.
Determine the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of candidate molecules identified in the above studies.
Molecular dissection of the cellular components of the microenvironment in tumor progression.
Identification of vicious paracrine loops between stromal cells and cancer cells.
Identification and targeting of the molecular pathways involved in switching bone marrow cells into pro-tumorigenic instigators.
Role of the bone marrow-derived microenvironment in mediating inflammation.
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF METASTASIS
An integrated analysis of the epigenome, transcriptome and microRNAs to determine the molecular landscape of tumor metastasis.
Mechanisms of tumor-initiated paracrine effects on the lung stroma.
Identification and characterization of "metastatic niches"
ANALYSIS OF NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
Genomic analysis of disseminated tumor cells in NSCLC patients.
Determine the role of bone marrow microenvironments in conferring stemness and or dormancy to disseminated cells.
Use mouse models of lung cancer progression and metastasis to validate the findings from clinical samples.
PHYSOCHEMICAL TRANSDUCERS OF ANGIOGENESIS AND METASTASIS USING 3D MICROFLUIDIC TUMOR MODELS
Dissecting the role of hypoxia, cytokines, mechanical forces, shear stress etc using 3D tumor models (in collaboration with biomedical engineers, Cornell University, Ithaca).
CLINICAL TRANSLATION
Validation of preclinical observations in clinical samples.
Determine the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of candidate molecules identified in the above studies.
