RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Ras is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer. My laboratory focuses on basic mechanisms of Ras-driven cancer in epithelial cells using both in vitro primary cell culture and in vivo transgenic and knockout mouse models. Our current focus is on the role of IRE1α (ERN1) in the cellular response to oncogenic Ras and its role in both skin and lung cancer.
Questions we are currently focused on:
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How does oncogenic Ras induce IRE1α independent of ER stress, and what is the mechanism of activation? How does this differ from IRE1α activation by chemical and other ER stress inducers?
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How do IRE1α and XBP1 regulate Ras-driven cancer in the epidermis and lung? What are the important mRNA and miRNA targets of the IRE1a RNase in this process?
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Is there a link between IRE1α signaling, inflammation and cancer?
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What Role do IRE1α mutants and IRE1α over expression play in cancer pathogenesis?
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Does the TGFβ1 signaling pathway impact outputs of the IRE1α RNase?