I’m from the great state of Texas (more specifically, San Angelo, TX)! I graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Genetics in May 2003 and a second B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2004. My project in the lab primarily focuses on the functional role of the tumor suppressor gene, TMS1, which is epigenetically silenced in many breast cancers. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is one of the earliest stages of breast cancer and is characterized by mammary ducts that are filled with tumor cells. It is hypothesized that the failure of ductal epithelial cells to undergo anoikis, or detachment-induced apoptosis, contributes to the filling of ducts in DCIS lesions. TMS1 has been shown to encode a proapoptotic intracellular protein. Additionally, we believe that silencing of TMS1 may allow ductal epithelial cells to escape anoikis and contribute to the filling of mammary ducts. I am working to determine the role of TMS1 in anoikis. Additionally, I am using a three dimensional culture model of breast epithelial cells to examine the effects of TMS1 silencing on mammary morphogenesis.
Education
B.S., Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2003.
Contact Information
E-mail:ppate23@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 778-2512
Fax: (404) 778-5530
