Research Interest: My research interest lies in investigating the mechanism and treatment of human malignancies. Some of the oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and fusion genes we characterized in the past have been proven to play significant roles in the development of human liver cancer. This includes MCM7, Glypican 3, LSP1 and MAN2A1-FER. The current goal of our ongoing investigation is to investigate whether our newly discovered fusion genes are the drivers of liver cancers, and to investigate whether targeting at oncogenic fusion genes is a viable treatment approach to treat human cancers.
Ongoing research study and collaboration related to liver diseases:

1. Characterization of the biological roles of fusion genes we recently discovered in human malignancies, particularly in liver cancer development.
2. Development of small molecules targeting at oncogenic fusion genes as an approach to treat liver cancers.
3. Development of genomic therapy targeting at fusion gene as an approach to treat liver cancers.
4. Development of somatic genome therapy approach to treat alpha1-anti-trypsin deficiency syndrome.
5. Collaboration with George Michalopoulos to develop panel of genome markers to predict the behavior of liver cancers.

High throughput genome center:
We have established High throughput genome center for 16 years. We have extensive collaboration with many investigators in the Liver Center. We provide array and high throughput genome sequencing collaborations using Affymetrix array and Illumina HiSeq2500 platforms. Extensive expertise has been obtained in the areas of gene expression, whole genome copy number analysis, whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, whole genome methylation sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, CHIP sequencing.
Professor
Department of Pathology
Genomics and Systems Biology Core Co-Director, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center