Project 1: To study the role of non-coding RNAs in brain tumor malignancy and uncover new therapeutic targets

Non-coding RNAs are regulatory RNAs that play important roles in regulating normal and cancer biology. We are studying the expressions, targets, mechanisms of action, and functions of microRNAs, TUCRs, and lncRNAs in gliomas. The goal is to understand their role in brain tumor development and growth and identify new therapeutic targets in brain tumors.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24425048/

Project 2: To investigate Transcribed Ultraconserved Regions (TUCRs) as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in gliomas

TUCRs are 481 regions of RNA that are highly conserved across multiple species, showing 100% conservation in human, mouse, and rat genomes. We are studying TUCRs that are differentially expressed in gliomas, uncovering potential correlations with clinical parameters, and determining their functional role and mechanism of action.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9139194/

Project 3: To assess the roles and therapeutic targeting of T-Type calcium channels in glioblastoma

Calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium to regulate a plethora of cellular regulatory processes. T-type calcium channels are voltage-gated calcium channels that are upregulated in glioblastoma. The project aims to determine the deregulation, mechanism of action, and therapeutic targeting of T-type calcium channels in brain tumors.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5505315/pdf/nihms874373.pdf

Project 4: To investigate the role of microRNAs in cancer metastasis to the brain

When brain metastasis develops, the prognosis of cancer is dismal. Insights into the biology of primary cancer and brain metastasis are necessary to inform more effective and targeted treatments. To study the role of microRNAs in brain metastasis, we performed differential expression profiling of 12 primary tumors and their paired brain metastases using smRNAseq (the 12 primary tumors include three non-small cell carcinomas, three melanomas, three endometrial carcinomas, one breast carcinoma, one thyroid carcinoma, and one renal-cell carcinoma). Because paired patient tissue samples of primary tumor and brain metastasis are so rare, this analysis has never been done before. We are currently using this novel data set to identify functionally relevant microRNAs using both in vitro cell line models as well as in vivo brain metastasis animal models.