Summary
My research interest is cancer genetics and broadly defined as the elucidation of the genetic events important for cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Using molecular genetic, cytogenetic, and molecular cytogenetic techniques, my laboratory is currently studying various genetic aspects of human brain tumors, and prostate cancer.
We have recently made several important observations. Alterations of the chromosome 19 q-arm are specifically associated with oligodendrogliomas; a type of glioma that is often, but not always, morphologically distinct from other gliomas. Alterations of the chromosome 8 q-arm are associated with clinically aggressive prostate cancers. My laboratory is currently interested in defining and cloning the genes on these chromosomes responsible for these clinical phenotypes. The glioma and prostate cancer efforts are supported by NIH-funded Program Project and Specialized Projects of Resarch Excellence (SPORE) grants, respectively.