Projects

Functional Genomics

Functional genomics or chemical proteomics are necessary  in order to efficiently optimize leads and to identify new targets that inform pathophysiology of disease and the generation of new disease models.  Functional genomics screens, however, are laborious and expensive, representing a  major impediment  to drug discovery. We are working with Persomics, Inc. to implement miniaturized RNAi arrays that are affordable and can be used at the bench by individual researchers.  With Dr. Partha Roy in the Department of Bioengineering, we are pursuing profilin-1, an actin binding cytoskeletal protein, in metastatic breast cancer (Joy et al.  A high-content, multiplexed screen in human breast cancer cells identifies profilin-1 inducers with anti-migratory activities. PLoS One. 2014;9:e88350).