Our lab is developing independent research program in the CVBR at the BIDMC/HMS, focused on preclinical models of human thyroid cancer with an emphasis on mechanisms of metastatic networks, new models of in vitro angiogenesis, tumor microenvironment, and metabolic regulations, using and dissecting new targeted therapies anti-BRAFV600E (e.g. Vemurafenib/PLX4032, Sorafenib, etc.).
In particular, our research interests are in elucidating mechanisms by which the oncogene BRAFV600E leads to the invasive behavior in aggressive, metastatic, and iodine-refractory thyroid cancers.
Our translational research and mentoring program is aimed:
- To determine the prognostic role of long intergenic non-coding RNA (LincRNA) in thyroid cancer.
- To identify new prognostic biomarkers and validate therapeutics for treating metastatic/refractory thyroid cancers.
- To identify pro-metastatic/-angiogenic and metabolic pathways in the microenvironment of thyroid cancer.
- To determine the function of blood vessels in thyroid cancer and identify driver clones in the angiogenic and immune microenvironment of thyroid tumors (tumor heterogeneity).
- To investigate pathogenesis and molecular basis of “orphan and rare’ endocrine diseases.
- To characterize the role of the pericyte lineage in the cancer microenvironment.
