Investigating the impact of dietary fat and fiber on disease processes is the main focus of the laboratory. Experiments are designed to examine the effects of nutrients on the inhibition or activation of genes that are involved in the development of cancer in humans. Ultimately, information obtained from these studies will be used to develop dietary recommendations to reduce disease risk.
Colorectal cancer is a disease strongly influenced by diet.
Despite advancements in the treatment of this disease, however, the five-year mortality rate has remained at 50 percent. Dietary modifications may be the best way to decrease the risk of colon cancer. These cascades are required to transmit signals from outside the cell into interpretable signals inside the cell. Diet may regulate the transmission of information that alters physiological responses such as cell growth, differentiation, or death, ultimately determining the risk for developing cancer. Students involved in this project will work with experimental transgenic animal models, primary intestinal cultures, and cell lines.