Science Park - Research Division in the News
NIH Awards M. D. Anderson 84 Research Grants from Stimulus Funds (Ten to the Department of Carcinogenesis)
Grand Opportunity Grants "GO" grants are designed to support high-impact ideas that lend themselves to short-term funding and may lay the foundation for new fields of investigation.
Synthetic Estrogen and Prostate Cancer Development Understanding the role of early exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen used in the manufacture of plastics, and later development of prostate cancer, is the focus of a $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies. Cheryl Walker, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Carcinogenesis, and colleagues will expose newborn rats to BPA and follow them into adulthood, correlating their later development of prostate cancer to BPA-induced epigenetic changes affecting the prostate. They also will analyze BPA's interaction with estrogen receptors. The project will provide new data for agencies that set regulatory guidelines for safe use of BPA.
Challenge grants Challenge grants are for novel research in topic areas that address specific scientific and health research challenges that would benefit from two-year jumpstart funding.
Cultivating Future Scientists, Starting in High School Amid growing concerns about future shortages of health-care providers and biomedical researchers, a potential long-term remedy is to engage high school students with enriched science, technology, engineering and math education. That's the premise of the MENTORS program funded by an $892,724 two-year grant from the National Center for Research Resources. The project focuses on rural, underserved and minority school districts where enriched science and career educational programs often are lacking. Led by principal investigator Robin Fuchs-Young, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Carcinogenesis, MENTORS will connect students with scientists in their labs and collaborate with teachers to increase awareness of research and technology careers. (Oct. 2009)
Dream Team Targets Key Driver for Breast, Ovarian, Endometrial Cancers
A Dream Team of leading cancer researchers will accelerate development of drugs to attack the PI3K molecular pathway that fuels endometrial, breast and ovarian cancers. The PI3K network normally promotes cell survival, growth and protein synthesis. When it is abnormally activated by genetic aberrations, it contributes to tumor progression, connects to other cancer-causing pathways and causes resistance to treatment. Dr. Cheryl Lyn Walker, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Carcinogenesis is a member of the M.D. Anderson Dream Team. This three-year $15 million grant awarded by Stand Up To Cancer is one of five that bring top researchers from different institutions together to speed new cancer treatments to patients. Stand Up to Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, is a novel charitable initiative that raised most of its funds during a telecast last September that aired simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS. (May 2009)
Protein "Switch" Suppresses Skin Cancer Development - When IKKa fails to keep cell replacement cycle in balance, cancer follows
The protein IKKalpha (IKKa) regulates the cell cycle of keratinocytes and plays a key role in keeping these specialized skin cells from becoming malignant, researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park - Research Division report in the Sept. 9 issue of Cancer Cell. "We have shown that IKKa acts as a sentry, monitoring and, when necessary, halting proliferation of these important cells. In the first mouse model of its kind, we also found that deleting IKKa spontaneously induced squamous cell carcinomas by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway," said senior author Yinling Hu, Ph.D., assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Carcinogenesis at the Science Park - Research Division. "These results provide new therapeutic targets for prevention of skin cancer."(Sep. 2008)
Once Suspect Protein Found to Promote DNA Repair, Prevent Cancer
An abundant chromosomal protein that binds to damaged DNA prevents cancer development by enhancing DNA repair. The protein, HMBG1, was previously hypothesized to block DNA repair, says senior author Karen Vasquez, Ph.D. Identification and repair of DNA damage is the frontline defense against the birth and reproduction of mutant cells that cause cancer and other illnesses. Pinpointing HMBG1's role in repair raises a fundamental question about drugs under development to block the protein. The protein also plays a role in inflammation, so it's being targeted in drugs under development for rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. These finds suggest that depleting this protein may leave patients more vulnerable to developing cancer.(Jul. 2008)
Calorie Restricted Diet Prevents Inflammation and Cancer
Prevention of weight gain with a restricted calorie diet sharply reduced the development of pancreatic lesions that lead to cancer in preclinical research reported by Science Park - Research Division researchers at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting. The research, led by Stephen Hursting, Ph.D. along with post-doctoral fellow Dr. Laura Lashinger, sheds light on the connection between obesity, calorie intake and pancreatic cancer by comparing a calorie restricted diet, an overweight diet and an obesity-inducing diet in a strain of mice that spontaneously develops pancreatic lesions that lead to cancer.(Apr. 2008)
Calorie Restriction Limits and Obesity Fuels Development of Epithelial Cancers
A restricted-calorie diet inhibited the development of precancerous growths in a two-step model of skin cancer, reducing the activation of two signaling pathways known to contribute to cancer growth and development, researchers at The UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park - Research Division reported at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting. Professor John DiGiovanni and graduate student Tricia Moore found that an obesity-induced diet, by contrast, activated those pathways. "These findings provide the basis for future translational studies targeting Akt/mTOR pathways through combinations of lifestyle and pharmacologic approaches to prevent and control obesity-related epithelial cancers in humans," DiGiovanni said. (Apr. 2008)
Chromatin Remodeling Complex Connected to DNA Damage Control
Xuetong "Snow" Shen, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the Science Park - Research Division of M. D. Anderson, discovered that when molecular disaster strikes, causing structural damage to DNA, players in two important pathways talk to each other to help contain the wreckage. This connection between a signaling pathway crucial to DNA damage control and a pathway known as chromatin remodeling "opens up an entirely new category of targets for potentially attacking cancer." (Aug. 2007)
Protein Protects Anti-Cancer Gene from Chemical Shutdown
A protein that is largely absent in one type of skin cancer protects an important gene in a cell's defense against harmful mutations from being silenced, reports Yinling Hu, Ph.D., senior author of a paper in Molecular Cell and assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Carcinogenesis at the Science Park - Research Division. (Jul. 2007)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Awards Major Grant to Smithville Researcher
A five-year $750,000 grant has been awarded to Robin Fuchs-Young, Ph.D., Community Outreach and Education director and associate professor of carcinogenesis at the Cockrell Cancer Research Center of the Science Park - Research Division of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, to fund a comprehensive program to enhance science and health education in Smithville schools and to promote community interest in science and biomedical research. (Jul. 2007)
M. D. Anderson Scientist Elected to Lead Society of Toxicology
Cheryl Lyn Walker, Ph.D., a professor at the Science Park - Research Division of the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, won a general election of the 5,800-member Society of Toxicology to serve as vice president-elect in 2007, vice president in 2008, and president in 2009. The SOT is the world's premier scientific group for those who work to understand, prevent and better treat the harmful effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on people, other living things and on ecosystems. (May 2007)
M. D. Anderson Science Park - Research Division Wins $8.3-million Renewal to Study Environmental Causes of Major Diseases
An $8.3-million federal grant to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Science Park - Research Division addresses the complex interplay between such varied factors as genetics, diet, and environmental exposure to toxins that cause cancer, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular and other diseases. (Apr. 2007)
Researchers Find Molecular 'Brake' to Cell Death; Discovery Could Yield New Target for Future Therapies
Researchers found that a natural "brake" exists in a cell to prevent it from undergoing apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This finding has direct implications for anti-cancer therapy and can be used to design more targeted chemotherapy drugs. (Jun. 2006)
When Good DNA Goes Bad
When otherwise normal DNA adopts an unusual shape called Z-DNA, it can lead to the kind of genetic instability associated with cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. (Feb. 2006)
"In Those Genetically Predisposed, 'Developmental Reprogramming' Could Explain Cancer Risk"
Researchers at the Science Park - Research Division may have uncovered the reason why some people who are genetically predisposed to hormone-dependent cancers develop the disease as an adult, while others who are similarly susceptible don’t. (May 2005)
"M. D. Anderson Researchers Discover Key Protein in Psoriasis: May be New Target for Treating Common Skin Condition"
Researchers have resolved a controversy over the cause of psoriasis and developed the first mouse model that fully mimics the human disorder. (Apr. 2005)
"Researchers Discover Potential Skin Cancer Prevention Target"
Scientists have identified a protein that serves as a master regulator of skin cancer - a finding that could lead to new ways to prevent skin cancer before it starts. (Nov. 2004)
For specific information regarding each staff member's research programs, please refer to the faculty information page.