""""""""No thesis selected"""""""". My research interests include the study of the mechanisms involved in the migration and invasion of tumor cells which play an important role in the metastasis of various types of tumors. Metastasis involves the spread of tumor cells via the blood and lymphatic vasculature systems to distant organs in the body. It is initiated by the migration and invasion of malignant cells into the surrounding tissues prior to intravasation in to the vasculature. Over the years, the number of cancer patients with tumor metastases has increased significantly. Very few cancer patients die from localized primary tumors; rather, it is the complications and metastatic spread that leads to treatment failures and patient mortalities. Therefore, it is important to identify key elements in these processes that may lead to better diagnostics or therapy of metastatic disease. To achieve this goal, a greater understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms involved in tumor cell adhesion and invasion is required, especially the role of epigenetic events and changes in gene expression. Understanding these events in tumor cells involves the study of signal transduction pathways that communicate to cells """"""""how"""""""" and """"""""when"""""""" to make the appropriated changes in order to invade or migrate to other tissues. These are the major reasons why I want to participate in this field of research. There is still much to learn in this area and I want to become part of the community of researchers involved in this field of cancer studies that may lead to improved patient survival.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31CA106201-02
Application #
6807010
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F05 (29))
Program Officer
Bini, Alessandra M
Project Start
2003-09-30
Project End
2008-01-31
Budget Start
2004-09-30
Budget End
2005-09-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$29,177
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Medical Br Galveston
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771149
City
Galveston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77555