The Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis (LCRC)
implements a program of research focused broadly on mechanisms
of carcinogenesis and on the role of the peptide growth factor,
transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß), in homeostasis and
pathophysiologic processes including tissue repair, autoimmune disease,
neurodegenerative disease, and especially carcinogenesis.
Investigations are focused both on basic mechanisms of TGF-ß
action derived from in vitro studies and on integration of cellular
and molecular mechanisms into the complexity of in vivo biological
model systems, especially as it relates to carcinogenesis, where the
TGF-ß receptors and signal transduction pathways have tumor
suppressor activity. The strength of the laboratory lies in the range
of expertise of its investigators from molecular biology to cell biology, physiology and oncology and the mix of both Ph.D. and M.D. researchers. The individual research groups are strongly synergistic and interdependent even though their principal research areas are distinct.
The principal investigators in our laboratory and their main areas of research are:
Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis Staff picture taken outside building 41 on the NIH Campus.
First Row, Left to Right:
Angelina Felici,
Chris Major,
Mario Anzano,
Sae Ra Lee,
Nan Roche,
Fang Tian,
Andrew Tran.
Second Row:
Anita Roberts,
John Letterio,
Seong-Jin Kim,
Lalage Wakefield,
Jeff Green,
David Hicks,
Miya Okada,
Mary Vu,
Yumei Ye,
Zi-yao Liu.
Third Row:
Alfonso Calvo,
Shellyann Sharpe,
Sejal Patel,
Makiko Fujii,
Kathy Flanders,
Binwu Tang,
Oksana Dukhanina,
Michelle Moshier,
Kartiki Desai,
Eun-Ah Cho,
Claudine Kavanaugh,
Stan Kaczmarcyk.
Fourth Row:
Dug-Keun Lee,
Byung-Chul Kim,
Sang-Uk Han,
Heung-Tae Kim,
Ja-June Jang,
Jiyun Yoo,
Jeff Nyswaner,
John Sallee,
Esther Piek,
Christine Couldrey,
Larry Wolfraim.
Not Shown:
Ekianadese Aburime,
Dalit Barkan,
Stacey Byfield,
Ji Sun Cha,
Zhijun Du,
Walter Fuller,
Sintha Huff,
Jung-Im Huh,
Kathleen Janosko,
Wan Jiao,
Ho-Jae Lee,
Hwa Young Lee,
Melissa Lewis,
Ludmila Lyakh,
Mizuko Mamura,
Larry Mullen,
Quang Tri Nguyen,
Sushil Rane,
Stephanie Reffey,
Do Hwan Seong,
Cheol Yong Yoon.
Major questions being addressed in the TGF-ß field include elucidation of 1) novel mechanisms of signal transduction from the serine-threonine kinase receptors, 2) possible intracellular roles in regulation of cellular energetics, 3) mechanisms of actions in carcinogenesis and chemoprevention in animal models in vivo, 4) its specific roles in development and carcinogenesis of the prostate 5) the molecular basis of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the TGF-ßs and their receptors, 6), its roles in neurodegenerative disease including especially Alzheimer’s disease, and 7) its roles in control of immune cell function and hematopoiesis. To address these questions, LC has developed transgenic mouse models including mice expressing a dominant negative TGF-ß type II receptor under control of tissue specific promoters and TGF-ß1 null mice. In addition, Jeffrey Green’s group has developed a novel transgenic model based on expression of large SV40 T-antigen linked to a hormone-responsive promoter to study both prostate and mammary cancer.
The Laboratory of Cell Regulation and Carcinogenesis periodically has openings for outstanding postdoctoral fellows and summer students. Applications from minorities and women are encouraged.
Please direct inquiries to Dr. Anita Roberts via: