The projects listed below enumerate the approaches we are currently pursuing in the laboratory:

  • The role of the heme degradation pathway in modulating inflammatory responses in sterile and pathogen-induced carcinogenesis.
  • The role of biliverdin reductase and bile pigments in sterile inflammation-induced organ injury, liver fibrosis and cancer.
  • Gene regulation by heme and the products of heme degradation in various models of disease.
  • Regulation of inflammaging – role of innate immunity.

Collaborative projects/programs:

  • Metabolic control of inflammation in cancer: role of LDH-A. Collaboration with Dr. Pankaj Seth at BIDMC.
  • Fibroids and Endometriosis Research Program (FERP). Collaboration with Dr. Fong Liu and Dr. Jonathan Hecht at BIDMC. Our goal is to establish a program on fibroids and endometriosis as an active program between the Departments of Surgery, OB/GYN, Pathology at BIDMC and other hospitals.
  • Development of small molecule anti-cancer agents that target cell cycle progression and tumor microenvironment in prostate and lung cancer with Dr. Sun at BIDMC.Research