Biochemistry
Area of Doctoral Study: Biochemistry
Undergraduate Institute: Point Loma Nazarene College
Research Advisor: David Kaetzel, Ph.D.
Description of Research
Metastasis is the process in which tumor cells travel from their original location to a secondary site. The development of metastatic lesions in cancer patients has a negative prognosis. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms preventing metastasis, as well as how tumor cells are able to overcome inhibitors of metastasis. I am studying NME, as known metastasis suppressor and its effect on melanoma. By obtaining metastatic melanoma samples, as well as primary tumor samples, I will be able to analyze any alterations in the genome due to the presence or absence of NME. From this information, I will be determining a potential mechanism through which NME affects specific genome sites.