Molecular Genetics

Cancer cannot occur without multiple genetic changes.  Among these changes is the addition of viral gene expression to the cell, as well as mutations to cellular genes, either sporadic or induced by environmental mutagens.  These changes ultimately lead to an overall genetic instability that contributes to the formation and progression of the tumor.  This program includes investigators who study aspects of the human genome itself which naturally contribute to genetic instability, investigators who work on the genes which play a primary role in maintaining or altering genomic stability, as well as those who study the mutagenesis process and the environmental contribution to mutagenesis.  These studies are relevant to translational research both in the diagnostic arena and in identification of targets for therapeutic intervention.

Tulane Cancer Center Program Faculty Members in the Molecular Genetics Program Include….

Victoria Belancio, Ph.D.
Srikanta Dash, Ph.D.
Prescott Deininger, Ph.D.
Melanie Ehrlich, Ph.D.
Astrid Engel, Ph.D.
Erik Flemington, Ph.D. – Program Leader
Aaron Hoffman, Ph.D.
Janarthanan Jayawickramarajah, Ph.D.
Michal Jazwinski, Ph.D.
Laura Levy, Ph.D.
Hua Lu, Ph.D.
Arthur Lustig, Ph.D.
Nick Makridakis, Ph.D.
Debasis Mondal, Ph.D.
Gilbert Morris, Ph.D.
Zachary Pursell, Ph.D.
Jeffrey Wickliffe, Ph.D.

Tumor Biology & Signaling

Normal cells have a complex series of molecular signals that allow communication between cells as well as transmittal of signals to the cell nucleus.  These signals are critical for regulating cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and immune avoidance of the tumor.  Changes in the signaling pathways, either through mutation or changes in gene expression, are necessary for tumor growth.  These aberrant signaling pathways, both in the tumor and in normal tissues, represent ideal targets for therapeutic intervention in translational cancer research.

Tulane Cancer Center Program Faculty Members in the Tumor Biology & Signaling Program Include….

Asim Abdel-Mageed, DVM, Ph.D.
Vecihi Batuman, M.D.
Aline Betancourt, Ph.D.
David Blask, M.D., Ph.D.
Matthew Burow, Ph.D.
Bridgette Collins-Burow, M.D., Ph.D.
David Coy, Ph.D.
Srikanta Dash, Ph.D.
Yan Dong, Ph.D.
Samir El-Dahr, Ph.D.
David Franklin, Ph.D.
Chang Han, M.D., Ph.D.
Steven Hill, Ph.D. – Program Leader
Michal Jazwinski, Ph.D.
Joseph Lasky, M.D.
John McLachlan, Ph.D.
Charles Miller, III, Ph.D.
Cindy Morris, Ph.D.
Brian Rowan, Ph.D.
Gabriele Sabbioni, Ph.D.
Oliver Sartor, M.D.
Deborah Sullivan, Ph.D.
William Wimley, Ph.D.
Tong Wu, M.D., Ph.D.
Zongbing You, M.D., Ph.D.
Haitao Zhang, Ph.D.

Population Sciences & Prevention

Almost 70% of all cancers can be prevented. Combined with an aging population and record success in survivorship, population-based cancer research is pivotal to our nation's health and well-being. Yet, as a field of science, significant data gaps exist. Cancer prevention and control research has an important cascading effect on the entire continuum of care. Investigators engaged in this area of research use holistic "bench to trench" methodologies to solve real risk to real people. Their research involves the development and testing of new biomarkers of effect and susceptibility in at-risk populations; epidemiologic studies of specific cancer sites; early detection and screening intervention research; and environmental oncology studies. Population Sciences researchers are also engaged in a promising new area of health disparities cancer research with an emphasis on educational and behavioral intervention.  Findings of cancer epidemiology, prevention and control research are influential in developing and strengthening national public health policy and practice, and benefit Louisiana's most vulnerable populations in a demonstrable fashion.

Tulane Cancer Center Program Faculty Members in the Population Sciences and Prevention Program Include….

Aaron Hoffman, Ph.D.
Maureen Lichtveld, M.D., M.P.H. – Program Leader
Nick Makridakis, Ph.D.
Gabriele Sabbioni, Ph.D.
He Wang, Ph.D.
Jeffrey Wickliffe, Ph.D.

Clinical & Translational Research

Our clinical research program selects emerging therapies and strategies to offer to our patients as experimental alternatives to routine care.  We test new drugs and new strategies through Tulane faculty investigator-initiated trials as well as pharmaceutical industry trials.  Additionally, our funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program allows our patients access to NIH collaborative trials.  Our research patients come from our core teaching hospitals (Tulane Medical Center, VAMC, and MCLNO) and from our network of community oncology practices.

Tulane Cancer Center Program Faculty Members in Clinical and Translational Research Program Include….

Bridgette Collins-Burow, M.D., Ph.D.
Chang Han, M.D., Ph.D.
James Korndorffer, M.D.
Cindy Leissinger, M.D.
William "Rusty" Robinson, M.D.
Oliver Sartor, M.D.
Roy Weiner, M.D. – Program Leader
Haitao Zhang, Ph.D.