RESEARCH PROGRAMS

The Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Cancer (Telomerase) - Lynne Elmore and Shawn Holt Laboratory 
Cellular and Molecular Pathogenesis - Alphonse Sirica Laboratory
Conservation Medicine - Joy Ware and the VCU Rice Center
Cytogenetics - Jackson-Cook Laboratory 
Molecular Diagnostics - Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez Laboratory
Oncogenomics and Proteomics - Youngman Oh Laboratory
Paleopathology - Enrique Gerszten and Marvin Allison Laboratory
TDAAC - Tissue & Data Acquisition & Analysis Core

Our funded research enterprise is growing. We have cutting edge programs in: telomerase in aging and cancer research, functional genomics, cytoproteomics, oncogenesis and proteomics. 

We house one of the largest and most sophisticated university-based molecular diagnostics laboratories in the country. Our physicians and scientists are leaders in setting national and international practice standards. Because of this vitality and commitment to the highest standards of excellence, we continue to attract the best and brightest people to our programs.

VCUHS has invested over ten million dollars in our department to support our Functional Genomics Program and Molecular Diagnostics laboratory. Our research programs were strengthened with significant capital equipment acquisitions, including a MALDI mass spectrometer for analysis of proteins, the Affymetrix gene chip instrument, a tissue arrayer, a capillary electrophoresis instrument, and an automated sample preparation instrument.

Funded programs of research for a total of $1.75 million in 2007 extramural funding include:

Aging and Cancer Laboratory

• Defining the Regulation of Telomerase through Identification of Mammory-Specific Telomerase Interacting Proteins, Shawn Holt, PhD (Principle Investigator)

• Mechanisms of Telomerase Inhibition Using Novel Techiques and Induction of Breast Tumor Cell Sensitivity, DOD, Kennon Poynter, PhD Candidate with mentor Shawn Holt, PhD (Principle Investigator)

• Prostate Cancer New Investigator Award, DOD, Lynne Elmore (Co-Investigator)

• Breast Cancer IDEA Award, DOD, Shawn Holt and Lynne Elmore (Co-Investigators)

• Prostate Cancer New Investigator Award, DOD, Shawn Holt, (Principle Investigator)

Cellular and Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory

• Hepatic Oval Cells in Culture and In Vivo, NIH-NCI, Alphonse Sirica (Principle Investigator)

• Altered Growth Factor Pathways in Biliary Cancer, NIH-NCI, Alphonse Sirica (Principle Investigator)

• COX -2 in Human and Rat Cholangiocarcinogenesis, Merck, Alphonse Sirica (Principle Investigator)

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory

• Cancer Genomics and Development of Diagnostic Tools & Therapies, Andrea Ferreira-Gonzalez

Surgical Pathology Research

• NIH funded study of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis- Melissa Contos, MD, VCUHS site Pathologist
  
• NIH grant 1RO1DK069859-01A2: Genes related to hepatocellular carcinoma progression in living donor and deceased donor liver recipients- A. Scott Mills, MD

Tissue & Data Acquisition & Analysis Core

• TDAAC was initially established from a grant awarded to VCU in 2001 by the Virginia Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (CTRF). TDAAC represents a close collaboration within and between multiple disciplines and departments within VCUHS including the Massey Cancer Center and Departments of Pathology, Surgery, and Internal Medicine.