Our current work is focused on:

Defining the molecular basis of oxygen sensing in the pathways that regulate mTOR and UPR signaling during hypoxia. We are currently studying the contribution of oxygen to protein folding and maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Determining changes in gene expression downstream of hypoxic signaling pathways. These studies utilize high-throughput genomic methods to characterize changes in transcription, translation and protein production. Our group believes that hypoxia regulated proteins will be useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Understanding how hypoxic response pathways influence the biology of tumor cells in ways that affect patient prognosis. The signaling pathways regulated by oxygen control multiple cellular processes that are important for tumor cell growth, response to stress, and survival. These include regulation of metastasis, DNA repair, autophagy, and metabolism.
Assessing the potential of targeting hypoxic responses for improved treatment of cancer. This work involves the creation of tumor models that allow genetic manipulation of various components of hypoxic response pathways in established tumors in mice. The importance of different hypoxic response pathways is evaluated by monitoring changes in tumor metabolism, the tumor microenvironment, tumor growth, and response to treatment.
Discovery of vulnerabilities in cancer that are manifested only within the unique microenvironment of tumors. Our group believes that cancer associated genetic alterations influence tumor hypoxia and metabolism in ways that can be exploited for therapy and we are using high-throughput genomic tools such as RNA interference screens to identify novel molecular targets.