Research in this laboratory is focused on two immediate-early genes, Cox-2 and EDG-1 that are induced during angiogenesis, also known as new vessel formation. Cox-2 is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins.

We are investigating the mechanisms by which Cox-2 mRNA is stabilized and how enhanced Cox-2 expression regulates tumorigenesis. EDG-1 is a G-protein-coupled receptor for sphingosine 1-phosphate, a bioactive lipid secreted by platelets. We are studying how this receptor regulates specific signaling pathways to induce endothelial cell migration and morphogenesis into capillary-like tubes.

These efforts may provide new insights to how vessels grow in normal conditions as well as during solid tumor growth.