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Degrees, Institutions, Dates |
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1980 - B.A., Saint Anselm College, Chemistry
1984
- Ph.D., Rutgers University, Biochemistry
1984-1988 Post Doctoral training with Michael wiggler,
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
1987 Visiting
Scholar, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, working with Sir
Paul Nurse
1988-2005 Professor, University Of Southern California,
School of Medicine
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Research
Interests and Background
-For the past twenty years researched has
focused on understand the mechanisms of tumor development.
Cancer does arises from a single mutation, but rather
occurs when a series of mutations occur such that a tumor cell
is produced that is immortal, and has an increased rate of
cell division, and increased capacity for cell survival.
Past studies lead to the identification and
characterization of novels genes that contribute to
carcinogenesis.
The biochemical characterization of communication networks
among the proteins encoded by the cancer causing genes has
been a primary research interest, as these discoveries point
to therapeutic target that may lead to discovery of novel
anti-cancer drugs.
My current research efforts are
based on my published observations that mutations in some
genes can cause cells to double the number of chromosomes they
carry. Because an
increase in the number of chromosomes leads to genetic
instability, causing a plethora of mutation, we hypothesize
this is the initiating event in cancer.
That is, cancer is initiated when chromosome numbers
increase, thereby causing genetic instability and mutational
alteration of the many genes that are required for cancers to
arise.
Directed Studies Projects
-Students
working with me will search for genes that cause cells to
double the number of chromosomes they carry.
Selected publications [from more than 60]
1. Xia G, Kumar SR, Hawes D, Cai J, Hassanieh L, Groshen S,
Zhu S, Masood R, Quinn DI, Broek D, Stein JP, Gill PS. Expression and significance of vascular endothelial
growth factor receptor 2 in bladder cancer. J Urol. 2006
Apr;175(4):1245-52.
2.Wu W, Mosteller RD, Broek D. Sphingosine kinase protects
lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages from apoptosis. Mol
Cell Biol. 2004 Sep;24(17):7359-69.
3. Han J, Luby-Phelps K, Das B, Shu X, Xia Y, Mosteller RD,
Krishna UM, Falck JR, White MA, Broek D. Role of substrates and
products of PI 3-kinase in regulating activation of Rac-related
guanosine triphosphatases by Vav. Science. 1998 Jan
23;279(5350):558-60.
4.Broek D, Bartlett R, Crawford K, Nurse P. Involvement of
p34cdc2 in establishing the dependency of S phase on mitosis.
Nature. 1991 Jan 31;349(6308):388-93.
5.Field J, Nikawa J, Broek D, MacDonald B, Rodgers L,
Wilson IA, Lerner RA, Wigler M. Purification of a RAS-responsive adenylyl cyclase complex from
Saccharomyces cerevisiae by use of an epitope addition method.
Mol Cell Biol. 1988 May;8(5):2159-65.
6.Broek D, Toda T, Michaeli T, Levin L, Birchmeier C,
Zoller M, Powers S, Wigler M. The S. cerevisiae CDC25 gene product regulates the RAS/adenylate
cyclase pathway. Cell. 1987 Mar 13;48(5):789-99.
7.Broek D, Samiy N, Fasano O, Fujiyama A, Tamanoi F,
Northup J, Wigler M. Differential activation of yeast adenylate cyclase by
wild-type and mutant RAS proteins. Cell. 1985 Jul;41(3):763-9.