The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota
Austin, United States
My long-term basic research interest is to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanisms that mediate cell survival and death, specifically in brain tumors. Also, I have been involved in investigation identifying the novel mutations associated with malignant tumors from patient samples to establish genotype-phenotype correlations in brain tumors.
During my Ph.D. program, my research projects were focused on identifying novel molecular mechanisms for cell proliferation and adhesion. I also investigated the molecular events that take place during chemotherapy-induced cell death. I reported the effect of temozolomide, the first-line drug for glioblastoma multiforme therapy, on the activities of NF kappa beta signaling and tumor invasiveness by assessing the expression levels and activity of proteolytic enzymes, including metalloproteinases.
To expand the focus of my research and to improve my technical skills in investigating cell proliferation pathways in the method of epigenetic technique, I moved to the University of Minnesota. In Dr. Kitange’s lab, I engage in a project to Identify molecular targets for therapy in glioblastoma. We use high throughput genome-wide screening as a strategy to identify novel molecular targets for therapy, as single agents, or for sensitizing the current therapy used for the treatment of GBM patients, including radiation and temozolomide. These novel molecular drug targets are validated using biochemical and pharmacologic techniques in vitro and in vivo using patient-derived GBM xenografts.
One of my current projects investigates the role of nuclear-cytoplasmic transport in temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma and is the first study investigating how MGMT may modulate the sensitivity of Selinexor, which is FDA approved drug for refractory multiple myelomas and is under evaluation for therapy in GBM. The results of this project will generate new approaches for designing and developing novel therapies for glioblastoma.