The Counter lab studies the molecular
mechanisms underlying the evolution
of normal cells into cancers. The lab
is divided into three major areas studying
key features of human cancers. Immortalization:
We have shown that the ability of cancer
cells to keep dividing or become immortal
is a fundamental aspect of tumorigenesis,
and is due to activation of the enzyme
telomerase. Consequently, telomerase
has now emerged as an attractive therapeutic
target for the treatment of a wide
spectrum of human cancers. Current
efforts focus on the molecular biology
of telomerase function and regulation
in human cancer cells. Proliferation:
The ability of tumor cells to proliferate
inappropriately is a hallmark of cancer.
One gene that plays a key role in this
process is the oncogene Ras. We have
shown that Ras exerts its oncogenic
signals differently in mice and human
cells,and as a result from these studies,
uncovered a pathway employed primarily
in human cells during Ras oncogenesis.
Current studies are aimed at understanding
the molecular signaling of this oncogenic
arm of Ras, and identifying other proteins
that may similarly promote the unrestrained
proliferation characteristic of cancer
cells. In vivo tumor growth: While
much can be learned about the processes
of tumorigenesis in vitro, ultimately
this disease empowers cells with the
ability to form tumors in vivo. In
this regard, we are genetically dissecting
the changes required to drive normal
human cells to form tumors in animals,
and by utilizing the process of animal
cloning, are creating new animal models
for cancer.
