Current Pathology Research

In addition to its outstanding clinical services and teaching, the Department of Pathology has several active research programs funded by NIH and other extramural sources. Several faculty pursue basic questions in cancer research. For example, there is research into oxidative damage of DNA from cigarette smoke and other environmental factors to determine how these agents cause cancer (Fan). Metastasis, with particular attention to how breast cancer and myeloma cells spread from the original tumor to bone and other organs, is the research focus of several faculty (Haun, Kelly, Kieber-Emmons). These projects are designed to understand the details of pathogenesis of cancer in hopes of identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention. Other faculty pursuing cancer research are identifying new markers for early detection of pancreatic cancers (Haun), molecular classifications of leukemias (Schichman) and renal cell carcinomas (Neriman Gokden), developing cancer vaccines (Kieber-Emmons, Nakagawa), and improving stem cell transplantation (Fox).

Other areas of research led by departmental faculty include dermatopathology (Smoller, Hiatt), mycobacterial molecular biology (Eisenach), gastrointestinal and hepatic disease (Lamps), neuropathology and cytopathology (Murat Gokden), and ocular pathology (Brown). This list only gives an indication of the exciting research currently being performed by faculty in the department of Pathology. This list continues to expand as research is encouraged and there are many opportunities for developing new ideas.