|
 John
Michael (Mike) Ruppert very recently joined the
Biochemistry Department and Cancer Center as Professor
of Biochemistry and Jo and Ben Statler Eminent Scholar &
Chair in Breast Cancer Research. Mike actually began his
research career in this Department - while pursuing his
BA in Chemistry at WVU, he worked with John Durham on a
project involving differentiation of HL60 cells.
Mike
received many accolades as an undergraduate and
graduated Summa Cum Laude from WVU in 1983, then
obtained his PhD and MD degrees from Johns Hopkins in
1990, where he worked with Bert Vogelstein. During his
postdoc, Mike worked with Bruce Stillman at Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory. He was then recruited to UAB, where
he advanced through the academic ranks, becoming
associated with numerous departments and centers. Mike
reviews for many journals, has served as a reviewer on
NIH and other study sections, has a long-standing record
of external funding and is currently well funded by NIH
and the American Cancer Society.
A synopsis of Mike’s
research interests:
My research deals with the
identification and functional analysis of genes
important in the early steps (initiation) of carcinoma
genetic progression. We have focused upon two zinc
finger transcription factors: KLF4/GKLF is studied in
the contexts of oral and cutaneous squamous cell
carcinoma and in ductal adenocarcinoma of the breast,
and Gli1 in basal cell carcinoma of the skin. We utilize
a simple epithelial model of malignant transformation
for analysis of signaling mechanisms in vitro and for
identification of small molecule antagonists of these
oncogenes. Signaling is also studied in vivo using
tetracycline-inducible mouse models, and correlative
expression studies in human tumors and normal tissues (immunostaining,
mRNA in situ hybridization). To date we have identified
downstream effectors of Gli1 (e.g., Snail, E-cadherin,
Wnt-b-catenin signaling) and KLF4 (manuscript submitted)
and used this information to identify small molecule
antagonists of each oncogene.
Welcome
back, Mike...!! |
