BMS Faculty Search Results

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 1:22:01 PM

Research Description

Biochemistry of DNA replication and repair; dynamic protein DNA interactions and enzyme mechanisms required for these processes.

Roniel Cabrera, MD, MS.

rcabrera@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/15/2021

Research Description

Characterize the immune suppressor mehanisms involved in the develeopment of HCC in the background of cirrhosis to identify novel targets that can lead to development of new immune activating strategies, predictive and prognostic biomarkers.

Martha Campbell-Thompson, D.V.M., Ph.D.

mct@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:29:11 PM

Research Description

My laboratory is examining mechanisms for loss of human beta cells in type 1 diabetes and ways to regenerate functional beta cell mass. We are also examining the mechanisms underlying a smaller pancreas size in at risk first degree relatives and patients with type 1 diabetes. Studies are conducted using human biospecimens, isolated islets, mouse models (transgenic and AAV-injected) and beta cell lines with experiments focused on the role of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in beta cell regeneration and gene expression within endocrine and exocrine cells. Techniques include IHC, ISH, laser microdissection, optical clearing, microscopy (brightfield, fluorescence, confocal, lightsheet), in vitro cell proliferation/apoptosis, transfection, RNA and RNAseq analysis, Western blot, and other molecular biology techniques.

Robert M. Caudle, Ph.D.

caudle@ufl.edu

Department:

Oral Surgery

Concentrations:

Neuroscience
Physiology & Pharmacology
Cancer Biology

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 12:58:49 PM

Research Description

Molecular processes that lead to the establishment of chronic pain. Development of therapeutic interventions for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Lina Cui, Ph.D.

linacui@cop.ufl.edu

Department:

Medicinal Chemistry

Concentrations:

Cancer Biology

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:59:40 PM

Research Description

The Cui lab explores the biochemical activities of glycan processing enzymes and develops therapeutic and diagnostic molecules or tools for various types of cancer and age-related diseases (e.g. diabetes, neurodegeneration, etc). The interdisciplinary program integrates organic chemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and molecular imaging. Our current research explores the biochemistry of heparanase, a key enzyme involved in the remodeling of extracellular matrix. We are developing molecular probes to study the precise modes of heparanase activity using molecular imaging, as well as diagnostic tools and drug molecules targeting heparanase and related enzymes. Our lab also develops molecular tools to detect senescence and DNA damage, and we have applied these molecules in various collaborative projects to explore the progression of diabetes, neurodegeneration, and other age-related diseases.

Yehia Daaka, Ph.D.

ydaaka@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 2:05:31 PM

Research Description

mechanisms of prostate and kidney cancer growth and metastasis, vesicle trafficking and its role in urinary tract infection.

Loic P. Deleyrolle, Ph.D.

loic.deleyrolle@neurosurgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/13/2023 1:25:47 PM

Research Description

The overall goals of our research are to understand the complexity of brain cancer, characterize the mechanisms driving its heterogeneity and explore new treatment strategies leading to translational therapeutic development. Our laboratory has specific interests in tumor metabolism, tumor immunology, cell-cell communications and its role in driving disease presentation.

Catherine Flores, Ph.D.

cfdrake@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

7/13/2023 12:18:20 PM

Research Description

Dr. Flores' research interests are focused on the development of cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies against CNS malignancies.

Kristianna M. Fredenburg, MD, PhD

kfredenburg@pathology.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Cancer Biology

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/21/2022

Research Description

Dr. Fredenburg is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist whose primary interests include head/neck and cardiothoracic pathology. She also has a strong research interest in identifying the underlying pathogenesis of head and neck cancers, in particular regarding laryngeal cancer health disparities.

Jorge Frias-Lopez, Ph.D.

JFrias-Lopez@dental.ufl.edu

Department:

Oral Biology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 11:44:26 AM

Research Description

Molecular mechanisms of periodontal diseases. Oral microbiome-host interactions Metatranscriptome of the oral microbiome in health and disease

Timothy Garrett, Ph.D.

tgarrett@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/8/2022 1:20:38 PM

Research Description

His main research interests are the development of novel mass spectrometry technologies for clinical research such as metabolomics, lipidomics, and direct analysis mass spectrometry applied to biomedical applications. His lab also works on bioinformatics to help identify novel metabolites and develop software to improve data analysis.

Juan Guan, Ph.D.

juanguan@ufl.edu

Department:

Physics

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 12:09:48 PM

Research Description

Protein phase separation, CRISPR gene editing for endogenous protein tagging, quantitative imaging of living cell, single-molecule dynamics of biomaterials

Olga Guryanova, M.D., Ph.D.

oguryanova@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/13/2023 1:39:27 PM

Research Description

Our laboratory studies the interplay between epigenetics and chromatin organization in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in pre-leukemic conditions. We use biochemistry, cell-based assays, -omics approaches, and genetic in vivo models to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive pre-leukemic clonal evolution and lead to malignant transformation. Our goal is to find and evaluate therapies that will help cancer patients.

Jeffrey K. Harrison, Ph.D.

jharriso@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 1:08:04 PM

Research Description

Brain tumor immunotherapy. Chemokines and chemokine receptors in glioma. Focus on glioblastoma and pharmacological targeting using pre-clinical animal models

Coy Heldermon, M.D., Ph.D.

coy.heldermon@medicine.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:31:36 PM

Research Description

Dr. Heldermon's primary focus is on developing new therapeutic strategies using gene therapy and stem cell therapy for patients with lysosomal storage disorders. He also studies therapy approaches for cancer focusing on breast and sarcoma.

Russell Hepple, Ph.D.

rthepple@phhp.ufl.edu

Department:

Physical Therapy

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/15/2023 8:17:39 AM

Research Description

Dr. Hepple leads a lab focused upon understanding the mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in aging and age-related diseases, with a particular focus on the role of the mitochondrion. The lab employs a wide range of techniques, from cutting-edge mitochochondrial function assessments to genetic manipulation in rodent models.

Shuang Huang, Ph.D.

shuanghuang@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 2:43:21 PM

Research Description

Research in the Huang lab is concentrated on elucidating molecular mechanisms associated with breast and ovarian cancer metastasis.

Alexander M. Ishov, Ph.D.

ishov@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:58:27 PM

Research Description

Chemoresistance in breast and prostate cancer, Nuclear Structure and Function, Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression. tumor Suppression

Christian Jobin, Ph.D.

cjobin@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:30:07 PM

Research Description

Dr. Jobin works on microbiota and host response in the context of inflammation and carcinogenesis. His laboratory uses genomic, high throughput bacterial culture and gnotobiotic technology to dissect relationship between diet, inflammation and medication in human pathologies.

Andrew Judge, Ph.D.

arjudge@phhp.ufl.edu

Department:

Physical Therapy

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 12:19:24 PM

Research Description

The overall aim of our research lab is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms which cause skeletal muscle atrophy and associated pathologies in response to chronic diseases, such as cancer, as well as other pathophysiological conditions. In doing so, we aim to identify targets for therapeutic intervention. To address this aim we utilize a reverse translational approach which includes the study of patient tissues, rodent models, and cell-based models. This approach allows for clinically relevant observations to drive our pre-clinical mechanistic studies in which targets of interest are manipulated to implicate or eliminate their role in the pathological phenotype.

Frederic Joseph Kaye, M.D.

fkaye@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 1:02:17 PM

Research Description

Dr. Kaye has a longstanding research interest in cancer genetics and translational clinical research. His lab studies the functional properties of a cAMP/CREB/CRTC pathway that is activated in cancer by loss of LKB1/AMPK signals in lung cancer. He also studies oncolytic virotherapy for small cell lung cancer with plans for a phase 1 clinical trial.

Michael P. Kladde, Ph.D.

kladde@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 10:58:59 AM

Research Description

Mammalian cell culture systems. Epigenetic regulation of transcription; chromatin structure and function; epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes in cancer; single-molecule analysis of chromatin structure

Ryan Kolb, PhD

ryankolb@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Cancer Biology

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2020

Research Description

Breast cancer research, inflammation, obesity, cancer immunology

Sergei Kusmartsev, PhD

sakus61@ufl.edu

Department:

Urology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 11:22:53 AM

Research Description

Our current research is focused on cancer immunotherapy of primary and metastatic urologic cancers using preclinical animal models of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.

Brian K. Law, Ph.D.

bklaw@pharmacology.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:31:02 PM

Research Description

Our research focuses on the roles of the CUB Domain-Containing Protein 1 (CDCP1) protein which facilitates the invasion, survival, and metastasis of breast tumors, and the TRAIL/Death Receptor 5 (DR5) pathway that selectively kills cancer cells. We are investigating therapeutic strategies for blocking the oncogenic functions of CDCP1, and have identified a novel class of agents that activate DR5 to kill cancer cells by promoting disulfide bond-dependent DR5 clustering and downstream activation of the pro-apoptotic Caspase enzymes.

Daiqing Liao, Ph.D.

dliao@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/20/2023 12:17:17 PM

Research Description

Cancer epigenetics focusing on enzymes (KATs and HDACs) that regulate protein acetylation using molecular, cellular and chemical biology approaches. We are also interested in discovering and optimizing small-molecule inhibitors of these enzymes for treating cancer. Cancer metabolism is another area of research interest.

Jonathan Licht, M.D.

jdlicht@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/14/2023 2:28:08 PM

Research Description

Jonathan D. Licht, MD, is the Director of the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Dr. Licht's laboratory studies aberrant epigenetics and gene regulation as a cause of hematological and other malignancies

Jianrong Lu, Ph.D.

jrlu@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 1:07:00 PM

Research Description

Epigenetic and metabolic regulation of tumor progression and therapeutic resistance.

Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D.

luesch@cop.ufl.edu

Department:

Medicinal Chemistry

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/30/2020

Research Description

Dr. Luesch�s multidisciplinary research program at the interface of chemistry and biology combines classical natural products chemistry with high-throughput screening and chemical genomics. It involves most aspects of drug discovery ranging from the collection of promising marine organisms, bioassay development, NMR spectroscopic structure determination, total synthesis, mechanism-of-action studies, and pharmacology, up to the preclinical and clinical development of candidate molecules. His lab is producing a small but increasing pipeline of bioactive compounds that are at various developmental stages. He also uses functional genomics approaches to identify and characterize genes associated with disease processes, especially cancer and neurological disorders.

Zhe Ma, Ph.D.

zhema@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/16/2023 1:47:21 PM

Research Description

Approximately 15% of cancers diagnosed were attributed to carcinogenic viral infections. Upon viral infections, the host innate immune system acts as the first line of defense to prevent viral invasion or replication, while viruses also strive for survival by repressing innate immune signaling. By further understanding how innate immunity is regulated by tumor viruses, our lab aims to dissect the interactions between innate immune responses and viral tumor development. Our long-term goal is to identify potential targets and strategies for viral cancer treatment. Utilizing molecular biology as well as bioinformatics tools, our lab seeks to extend our knowledge of how viral proteins regulate the cGAS-STING pathway and how to develop potential KSHV cancer therapy by targeting these viral proteins. Specifically, we are focusing on: 1) Exploring detailed mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling regulation by KSHV viral proteins 2) Exploring the role of KSHV viral proteins on KSHV pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo 3) Screening for novel cGAS-STING pathway agonists, and testing their efficacy using PEL based xenograft mouse model

Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.

mmcintosh@peds.ufl.edu

Department:

Pediatrics

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/12/2023 1:02:34 PM

Research Description

My research employs proteomics, RNA-seq and capture-seq to study gene expression networks associated with gammaherpesvirus infections, how viruses exploit ion regulation, and to discover new viruses in human diseases of unknown etiology or emerging epidemiology at the human, animal or vector interface. Special emphasis is on elucidating complex molecular mechanisms of Epstein-Barr virus lytic activation, immune subversion, and cellular transformation relevant to virus-induced cancer as well as exploiting EBV to immortalize human B-cells to identify and clone antiviral antibodies.

Ayalew Mergia, Ph.D.

mergiaa@ufl.edu

Department:

Infectious Diseases and Immunology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/23/2022

Research Description

Host and viral protein interactions relevant to therapeutic and vaccine development, Retrovirus vector for gene transfer based on foamy virus.

Rowan Milner, BVSc, MMedVet, Ph.D. Dip ACVIM (Oncology)

milnerr@ufl.edu

Department:

Vet Med- Research

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 1:50:07 PM

Research Description

Osteosarcoma; Melanoma vaccine; Stereotactic radiosurgery; Targeted radiotherapy; Tumor suppressor genes; single cell genomics; tumor microbiome, Nanostring.

Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D.

Duane.Mitchell@neurosurgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

7/11/2022

Research Description

Immunotherapy of adult and pediatric brain tumors. Mechanisms of resistance in brain tumors to immunologic rejection. Combinatorial therapeutics involving chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy

Satya Narayan, Ph.D.

snarayan@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:47:11 PM

Research Description

Development of novel therapy for colorectal and breast cancers.

Rene Opavsky, Ph.D.

ropavsky@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:39:22 PM

Research Description

Cytosine methylation is a heritable epigenetic modification affecting gene transcription and the integrity of the genome. In human malignancies, aberrant DNA methylation is the most commonly observed epimutation, often manifested by promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and hypomethylation of intergenic non-coding regions. The DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B are the enzymes primarily responsible for methylation of CpG dinucleotides in mammalian DNA. Mutations in the coding sequence of DNMT3A are frequently found in human hematologic malignancies indicating that decreased DNMT3A activity may promote tumorigenesis in multiple hematopoietic lineages. Using targeted inactivation of Dnmt3a in mice Opavsky lab showed that Dnmt3a plays a tumor suppressor role in prevention of chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia, peripheral T cell lymphoma and myeloproliferative disease. Furthermore, Dnmt3b is a tumor suppressor gene in prevention of MYC-induced T cell lymphomas. Promoter hypomethylation accompanied by increased gene expression was found to be a frequent event in both mouse and human hematologic malignancies.

David Ostrov, Ph.D.

ostroda@pathology.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 11:11:14 AM

Research Description

Immune recognition, structural biology and drug discovery; cancer research; immunological regulation by T cells; structural interactions defined by X-ray crystallography and functional studies; drugs to prevent and treat COVID-19 .

Bernadett Papp, Ph.D.

BPapp@dental.ufl.edu

Department:

Oral Biology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 12:42:21 PM

Research Description

Interdisciplinary biomedical research; switch mechanisms in health versus disease; oncogenic viral infections and cancer; genome-wide studies; epigenetic and signaling regulation of cell identity

Zhijian Qian, Ph.D.

Zhijian.Qian@medicine.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/8/2022 3:11:41 PM

Research Description

The long-term goal of my research is to understand the mechanisms that underlie the development of blood cancers with a focus on studying the genetic pathways that control the proliferation, survival and self-renewal of normal or leukemic hematopoietic stem cells. The current main research focuses: 1. Molecular regulation of normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and its leukemic transformation 2. The role of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in the development and maintenance of myeloid neoplasms 3. Transcriptional, epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis 4. Development of targeted therapies for myeloid malignant diseases

Rolf Renne, Ph.D.

rrenne@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 1:12:00 PM

Research Description

Biology of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); role of latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) in transcriptional regulation, viral DNA replication, and episomal segregation in latently-infected cells; role of virus-encoded micro RNAs.

Brent A. Reynolds, Ph.D.

brent.reynolds@neurosurgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2021 9:11:20 AM

Research Description

Characterization and manipulation of adult neural stem cells. Cancer stem cells Brain cancer The application and impact of natural products, cannabinoids and psychedelics in augmenting CNS function

Thomas C. Rowe, Ph.D.

tomrowe@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/30/2022 1:59:49 PM

Research Description

Topoisomerases; cancer and microbial chemotherapy; mitochondrial DNA; chromatin structure. Malaria, plastid/organellar DNA and anti-malarial drugs.

Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D.

elias.sayour@neurosurgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

7/11/2022

Research Description

Current interests include developing innovative immunotherapeutics for pediatric tumors and invasive central nervous system malignancies. Dr. Sayour�s main focus is deeply rooted in harnessing the immune system to eradicate pediatric cancers.

Thomas Schmittgen, Ph.D.

tschmittgen@ufl.edu

Department:

Pharmaceutics

Concentrations:

Cancer Biology

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/14/2023 2:16:58 PM

Research Description

Dr. Schmittgen's research focuses on noncoding RNAs and cancer, with emphasis on the use of microRNAs as therapeutic or diagnostic agents. A paper he co-authored in 2001 describing the relative method of gene quantification has been cited over 36,000 times and was recently ranked by the international journal Nature as the 21st most-cited scientific article of all time. His lab was the first to establish a link between altered microRNA expression in pancreatic cancer and the intellectual property resulting from this work is the basis of the product miRInform Pancreas�, a biomarker of early pancreatic cancer development. Recently, he has focused his attention on the development of microvesicles as targeted drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer.

Dietmar W. Siemann, Ph.D.

siemadw@ufl.edu

Department:

Radiation Oncology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

7/13/2023 11:57:39 AM

Research Description

Our research laboratory seeks to improve cancer therapies through molecular targeting strategies and physiologic interventions such as exercise. A primary focus is the tumor microenvironment which not only influences treatment resistance of cancer to conventional anticancer therapies but also plays a critical role in neoplastic cell initiation, malignant progression, and metastatic spread to secondary sites.

Xin Tang, Ph.D.

xin.tang@ufl.edu

Department:

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 12:06:30 PM

Research Description

The primary goal of our lab is to (1) create novel biophysical technologies to study the function and structure of living cells and tissues in health and disease, and (2) train scientists to be well equipped for successful and productive independent careers in both academia and industry.

Ryan M. Thomas, M.D.

Ryan.Thomas@Surgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Surgery

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:26:20 PM

Research Description

The lab of Dr. Thomas investigates the role of the microbiome in pancreatic carcinogenesis. They were one of the first labs to identify that the intestinal microbiota can accelerate pancreatic cancer progression and currently is focused on how bacterial metabolites interact with the innate immune system to modulate pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Scott A. Tibbetts, Ph.D.

stibbe@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/26/2021

Research Description

Oncogenic virus pathogenesis, noncoding RNAs, virus-host interactions, host immunity to viruses, viral latency.

Zsolt Toth, Ph.D.

ztoth@dental.ufl.edu

Department:

Oral Biology

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 11:58:20 AM

Research Description

We study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of lifelong herpesvirus infections, focusing on the cancer-causing DNA virus called KSHV. We use KSHV mutants, proteomics, RNA and recombinant DNA technologies to identify and investigate the viral and host factors that are crucial in the regulation of KSHV infection.

David D Tran, MD, PhD

david.tran@neurosurgery.ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/16/2020

Research Description

Research in the Tran lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of how cancer develops, progresses, and resists treatments through an integrated approach from clinical observations to systems and computational biology, and to animal models and quantitative molecular validation, with the ultimate goal of returning to human patients to develop novel, safe and effective anti-cancer therapeutics.

Margaret R. (Peggy) Wallace, Ph.D.

peggyw@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/15/2023 12:23:01 PM

Research Description

Mutation and analysis of human disease susceptibility genes, and tumor genetics.

Lizi Wu, Ph.D.

lzwu@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Yes

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 12:08:48 PM

Research Description

We study aberrant cancer cell signaling with the goals of gaining molecular insights into cancer pathogenesis and identifying novel cancer diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Mingyi Xie, Ph.D.

mingyi.xie@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:44:33 PM

Research Description

The Xie Lab�s research interest is to decipher molecular mechanisms that modulate RNAs essential for gene expression in metazoans and associated Herpesviruses. Our current focus is on microRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules that control the function of other genes. In the near future, we will integrate approaches from biochemistry, cell biology, virology and bioinformatics to study viral and cellular non-canonical microRNA biogenesis pathways, which surprisingly incorporate several fundamental cellular machineries involved in processing other classes of RNAs. Our efforts will provide a better basis for developing novel therapeutics that alter microRNA levels to combat a variety of diseases, including Herpesvirus-induced malignancies and other cancers.

Maria Zajac-Kaye, Ph.D.

mzajackaye@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Yes

Last Updated

7/13/2023 12:20:55 PM

Research Description

Mechanism of oncogenic transformation. Cooperation of oncogenes and suppressor genes in cancer development. Genetically engineered mice models for cancer. Targeted therapeutics in pancreatic and lung cancer models.

Weizhou Zhang, Ph.D

zhangw@ufl.edu

Department:

Concentrations:

Accepting Students

Accepting Students if Funding Obtained

Last Updated

6/22/2023 12:50:59 PM

Research Description

Our research focuses on developing synthetic nanoplatforms to direct immune cells as �living therapeutics�, through genetically programming cellular functions or molecularly targeting stimulatory/inhibitory pathways. To this end, our lab integrates nanotechnology, immunology, synthetic biology, and clinically-relevant animal disease models to create novel nanotherapeutics for controlled modulation of the immune system.

Lei Zhou, Ph.D.

leizhou@ufl.edu

Department: