Researcher Background
Primary Academic Title
James S. McDonnell Professor and Chair, Department of Genetics, WashU Medicine
Training
- 1978 - 1980: Resident, Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Education
- 1978: MD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- 1983: PhD, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Research & Selected Publications
Research Interest
Our laboratory studies the biological function of the GFL family of neurotrophic factors (GDNF, neurturin, persephin and artemin) that constitute the ligands for the Ret tyrosine kinase receptor, which is mutated in multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes as well as thyroid cancers. We are characterizing mouse models lacking components of this ligand-receptor family, and we are investigating the downstream signaling events mediated by Ret activation. We are also studying the role of several genes, including Egr1, Nab2, a homeodomain protein Nkx3.1 and the tumor suppressor PTEN, in the development and progression of prostate cancer. We are characterizing mouse models of prostate cancer that we have developed and are using microarray screens and other functional genomics techniques to identify additional gene products that play a role in this disease.