Molecular Oncology and Therapeutics
Principle Investigator:
Dawei Li, Ph.D. Professor
Education:
Ph.D. : Biochemistry and Molecular Oncology (The Ohio State University, USA); Postdoctoral training: The Ohio State University, Harvard Medical School
Teaching Experience:
Teaching Assistant, Ohio State University;
Instructor, Harvard Medical School;
Lecturer: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.
Members
Xiaoyan Wang, Ph.D. , Research Scientist
Graduate: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
Zhenghua Wu, MOM (Master of Medicine) , Research Associate
Graduate: Pharmacology (Harbin Medical University)
Research Field
On-going Researches:
Our research on anticancer drug discovery includes three related areas: Target discovery; Drug screening assay development; Recombinant biological therapeutics
Target Discovery By investigating the regulatory networks of cancer-related gene promoters, we are gaining deeper insights into the components of cancer specific signaling pathways. Among these components we identify and validate druggable targets that will reduce or reverse cancerous phenotypes when interfered.
Assay Development Based on the knowledge of cancer specific gene regulatory networks, we are developing various promoter-based drug screening systems. We are teaming-up with other faculties to use these assay systems for the identification of pathway perturbagens, optimization of anticancer leads, as well as drug target deconvolution.
Recombinant Therapeutics Using our unique recombinant DNA technology and mammalian expression systems, we are exploring our knowledge on regulatory signal pathways and extending our research into cancer-fighting biological large molecules, including diagnostic and therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies.
Publications & Patents
Representative Publications:
(1)Li, D., Tian, Y., Ma, Y. and Benjamin, T.(2004) P150Sal2 Is a P53-Independent Regulator of P21Waf1/Cip. Mol. Cell. Biol. 24, 3885-3893
(2)Li, D., Ma, Y., Chai, L., Luciani, A.M., Ford, D., Morgan, J and Maizel, A.L. (2001) Cloning and characterization of two promoters for the human HSAL2 gene and their transcriptional repression by the Wilms tumor suppressor gene product. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 48223-48230
(3)Li, D., Dower, K., Ma, Y., Tian, Y. and Benjamin, T.L (2001) A tumor host range selection procedure identifies p150(sal2) as a target of polyoma virus large T antigen. Proc. Nat.l Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 14619-24
(4)Li, D., Sun., X.L, Casto, B., Fang, J, Glaser, R. and Milo, G.E. (1998) Epstein-Barr virus growth- transformed cells are converted to malignancy following transfection of a 1.3 kb CATR1 antisense construct independent of a change in the level of c-myc expression followed by a 8;14 chromosomal translocation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 4894-4899
Patents:
(1)“ Detecting The Expression of The CATR1 Gene in Squamous Cell Carcinoma”,US: 5830656
(2)“Diagnosing and Treating Cancer Cells Using Sal2”, Harvard # 1787, US application: 09/812,633
contact information
Dawei Li
School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
800 Dong-Chuan Road, Shanghai, 200240
China Office phone: +86-21-3420-4744
Lab. Phone: +86-21-3420-4741
Fax: +86-21-3420-5436
US phone: 1-203-903-0468 (CT, USA)
