The Department has a very strong cadre of researchers both in basic science and translational research. Major efforts are centered in cell biology, virology, cancer biology and diagnosis, biotechnology, computational biology and vascular biology and disease. Researchers in these diverse areas meet often and exchange ideas and novel concepts from their respective fields creating a fertile multidisciplinary environment for graduate students and young post-doctoral trainees.
Several laboratories combine their efforts to make progress in the understanding of the causes and mechanisms of cancer. For example the Sklar laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of endometrial cancer. The insights can be later applied to the diagnosis by creating new molecular tests and collaborating with the Women’s Health Program or in conjunction with technologies perfected in the Rimm laboratory. Still in the cancer field the design of new technologies (Lizardi’s group) enables the study of cancer of the Head and Neck using novel biomarkers to classify and determine the patient’s prognosis. Basic aspects of cell biology are elucidated in the Morrow laboratory where the molecular details of how cytoskeletal proteins determine the shape of cells and channel functions are worked out at the biochemical level. Also in cell biology the work of the Walther laboratory focuses on characterizing the precise function of membrane proteins making up specialized cell junctions.
More than ever before, biological and biomedical science is in need of theoretical modeling studies. A strong computational biology group (Sinard, Tuck, Krauthammer, Kleinstein) plays an increasingly enabling role in support of studies of evolutionary dynamics and selective swipes concerning the physiology of the immune studies and the changes in the biological properties of tumors. The computational team assists the laboratory scientists by analyzing large data sets and producing mathematical and or agent based models that allow the generation of new hypothesis that can be experimentally tested
This forever changing landscape of scientific knowledge places physicians in the department in a strong position to apply the latest insights to patient care.
Research Labs
