News
A major unmet clinical need is to distinguish cancer that is non-aggressive (low risk) versus those that are aggressive (high risk). Using the gene editing core service in the UA Cancer Center (led by Dr. Nathan Ellis), members of the CressLab in collaboration with two other CMM faculty (Drs. Cindy Miranti and Noel Warfel) found that tumors use a specific modification of an adhesion receptor called α6 integrin to generate invasive aggressive networks. The surprising finding was that gene editing of a specific extracellular region, not required for normal tissue function, can generate a new biophysical cancer phenotype unable to invade the structured muscle.
Previously at Yale University, Dr. Sweasy brings expertise in basic sciences that will facilitate translational research.
John Ryniawec (GPMM student), Dan Buster, PhD, Gregory Rogers, PhD and their collaborators recently published a new study in the journal Developmental Cell. They show a new mechanism linking the centrosome biogenesis machinery with the mitotic spindle orientation apparatus in Drosophila stem cells. Their work also reveals a new role for the kinase Polo-like kinase 4 in promoting centrosome disassembly.
The Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) program recently relaunched with their sixth cohort of students for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Congratulations to Samantha Harris, PhD for her promotion to full Professor, and to Julie Ledford, PhD for her promotion to Associate Professor!
Noel Warfel, PhD was awarded an Idea Development Award from the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program to study the role of PIM kinases in prostate cancer invasion and metastasis, as well as test new strategies to improve the treatment of patients with bone-metastatic prostate cancer.
New graduate program at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson will begin in fall Semester 2019. Genetic counseling one of nation’s fastest-growing careers.
The Department of Immunobiology in the UA College of Medicine – Tucson is hosting “National DNA Day” events at three Tucson high schools, April 24, 25 and 26, to highlight the importance of genomic research.
Donata Vercelli, MD - Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine - was recently awarded the Henry and Phyllis Koffler Prize in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity for her long-standing scientific expertise and research contributions towards preventing childhood asthma.
Jeffrey Frelinger, PhD, has received the highest honor bestowed by the American Association of Immunologists.
While antibiotic resistance is on the rise, pharmaceutical companies are making fewer and fewer new antibiotics. UA immunobiologist Michael Johnson says this trend is in urgent need of reversal and believes copper might just be the key.
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is delighted to welcome the following new Molecular Medicine PhD students to our department: Hao Zhang (Cusanovich Lab) and Yaeren Hernandez (Granzier Lab). We also extend a friendly welcome to the following PhD students who will be working in labs with CMM faculty: Selina Kindelay (Genetics GIDP - Maggert Lab) and Reeba Varghese (Cancer Bio GIDP - Thorne Lab).
3-day pre-symposium workshop beginning Wednesday May 15