Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2008

Mentor: Fiemu E. Nwariaku
Department: Surgery
Room number: E7.108
Mail Code: 9156
Phone number: 2146489968
E-mail: fiemu.nwariaku@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Angiogenesis and Thyroid Cancer

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): APN# 0871-05-03-1A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)
Our program provides patient-based, animal and basic research. In addition we also provide experience with database management and analysis for common endocrine problems such as thyroid cancer and adrenal diseases.

Brief Description of Project:

Tumor growth and metastasis are dependent on recruitment of new blood supply (angiogenesis). We have developed a spontaneous model of medullary thyroid cancer in mice by silencing the expression of p25 a cofactor for Cdk5.
This project will characterize spontaneously developing medullary thyroid tumors and determine signaling events which promote neoplasia and metastases in these tumors.