Cancer and Vascular Biology Lab
Principal Investigator: Dr. Somanath Shenoy
Lab Overview
Our long-term goal in the cancer and cardiovascular biology laboratory is to enable the development of new and innovative therapeutics for the prostate and bladder cancers, lung edema and pulmonary fibrosis through better understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating tumor growth and metastasis, vascular permeability, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling.
In the area of cancer, we focus on determining the molecular mechanisms regulating tumor growth, invasion and metastasis of urological cancers with an emphasis on developing therapeutics employing studies using pre-clinical mouse models. In the area of pulmonary fibrosis, we are investigating the molecular mechanisms mediating the myofibroblast trans-differentiation mediated by a transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß)-fibroblast growth factor (FGF) interplay and identify novel targets for therapeutic interventions. In the area of acute lung injury, our research is centered on identifying how different pathological stimuli induce vascular injury and inflammation in the exudative phase of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that progresses to endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), fibroprolifetaion, vascular remodeling and inflammation. Our interest is also in understanding the mechanisms that mediate the switch from injury resolution to fibrosis.
Dr. Somanath Shenoy’s biosketch
Funding
Current research funding
R01HL103952 (NIH R01 from NHLBI); 06/01/2011-05/31/2018; Protein kinase B (Akt)-mediated pathway regulating endothelial barrier function, Role: PI.
PC150431 (DOD-PCRP) Idea Development Award 04/01/2016-03/31/2019; Secretory Phospholipase A2-Responsive Liposomal Delivery of IPA-3 for Prostate Cancer Therapy
UL1-TR000454 (KL2-TR000455 and TL1-TR000456 by NCATS) 10/01/2017-09/30/2022
Title: Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (GaCTSA) by the Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute (ACTSI) (PI- Robert Taylor, Emory University)
Role: Co-Director (UGA) for the KL2-TR000455 and the TL1-TR000456 Training Component.
Wilson Pharmacy Foundation Grant: miR-669h-3p regulation in metastatic prostate cancer (2017-18)
Translational Research Initiative Grant: Identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the deadly lung diseases (2017-2019)
Completed research projects
0830326N: (PI) Scientist Development Grant (American Heart Association, National) (2008 – 2012).
R01HL071625 06/01/2003-05/31/2007. PI: Dr. Tatiana V. Byzova; Role: Co-Investigator
I01 BX000891 (VA Merit), 04/01/2011-03/31/2015, PI: Dr. Susan C. Fagan; Role: Co-Investigator
13PRE17100070 (American Heart Pre-doc fellowship-Abdalla) Role: Sponsor 07/01/2013-06/30/15
