School of Public Health and Health Sciences
Health Informatics And Implementation Science
Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair II
Focus: Mucosal inflammation, host: pathogen interactions, and cancer biology
One rotation student is expected in the lab to characterize the expression and function of Drosophila gustatory receptor 28b (Gr28b) in phototransduction and taste sensation. Please contact Dr. Yang Xiang for details.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Yang Xiang, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Medical School Department of Neurobiology, LRB 725 364 Plantation Street Worcester, MA 01605 USA phone: 508-856-6816 (office) e-mail: yang.xiang@umassmed.edu<o:p></o:p>
Interests: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, perioral dermatitis, fungal infections, cutaneous malignancies, infectious diseases, medical education
Barbara Helen Smith Chair in Preventive & Behavioral Medicine
<p >Rotation Projects <p >Rotation projects are designed to expose students to the molecular cell biology of solid tumors and to provide them with an appreciation for translational cancer research. Specific rotation projects, which are focused on the major themes of the lab, include: <p >Function and Regulation of Integrins (Cell Adhesion Receptors) in Cancer Epigenetic mechanisms that regulate integrin gene expression in human cancers Regulation of integrin expression and function during the EMT Role of specfic microRNAs (miRs) in regulating integrin function and signaling Contribution of integrins to carcinoma progression using mouse models of breast carcinoma <p >Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Signaling, EMT and Carcinoma Progression Function and expression of VEGF receptors in carcinoma cells Regulation of VEGF transcription in response to EMT stimuli Role of miRs in regulating VEGF receptors and signaling Contribution of VEGF signaling to the behavior of aggressive, de-differentiated carcinomas <p >Nuclear Hormone Receptors and EMT Role of estrogen receptors in regulating the EMT Regulation of VEGF transcription by estrogen receptors
Rotation projects are designed to expose students to the biology of adult stem cells, the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and to provide them with an appreciation for translational cancer research. These projects are focused on the major themes of the lab, which are: 1. Understanding the relative effects of oncogenic mutations on stem cells compared to the non-stem cell population from adult human skin. A key component of this project is to evaluate the Beta-catenin/Lef-1 signaling pathway on cultured epithelial stem cells and non-stem cells. 2. Studying the function of differently expressed genes in mediating stem cell behavior. The goal of this project is to understand the molecular mechanisms which control the critical properties of stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, adhesion and migration. 3. Identifying, isolating and characterizing “cancer stem cells” from human and mouse model tumors. Cancers are thought to possess a sub-population of slowly-cycling cancer stem cells which are responsible for tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis. The goal of this project is to begin to characterize these cells to help better target them therapeutically. The goal for all of these projects is to use the data obtained to help understand human tumorigenesis at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, and be able to devise better treatments.
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan
Tweets by @DrSherryPagoto
Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMass Chan - Baystate
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research