Wei Zhang, Ph.D. 1992, The University of Texas-Houston, GSBS UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Pathology Neuro-Oncology Cancer Biology Contact Information Web page

Research Interests: Cancer genomics; functional genomics; integrative cancer biology; systems biology

The focus of my laboratory research is on cancer genomics and functional genomics. With the completion of Human Genome Project, the challenge is how we can harness the vast amount of information for cancer research and cancer care. The approach in my lab is to apply the state-of-the-art high throughput genomics technologies to clinical tumor samples and to gain a holistic understanding of the disease. Using methodologies such as cDNA microarray, protein microarrays and tissue microarray, new targets for tumors can be identified and the role of those targets can be tested by functional genomics approach such as tissue-specific transgenic mouse model. For students who are highly interested in pursuing functional genomics and systems biology research, a rotation in my lab is welcome. The students will be exposed to the high throughput genomic technologies and participate in specific research projects where students get hand-on training in the areas of basic molecular biology, cell biology, and genomics. For detailed information, please review the website.

____________

Jabbur JR, Tabor AD, Cheng X, Wang H, Uesugi M, Lozano G, and Zhang W. Phosphorylation at threonine 18 of p53 alters hydrogen bonding attenuating mdm2 binding and TAFII31 recruitment. Oncogene 21:7100-7113, 2002 (Jabbur JR graduated with PhD in 2002)

Song SW, Fuller GN, Khan A, Kong S, Shen W, Taylor E, Ramdas L, Lang F, and Zhang W. IIp45, a novel IGFBP-2 binding protein, inhibits glioma cell invasion. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (Track II) 100:13970-75, 2003.

Wang H, Wang H, Shen W, Huang H, Hu L, Ramdas L, Zhou Y, Liao WSL, Fuller GN, and Zhang W. Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 Enhances Glioblastoma Invasion via Activation of Invasion Enhancing Genes. Cancer Res. 63:4315-4321, 2003. (Wang H graduated with PhD in 2004)

McDonald JM, Dunlap S, Cogdell D, Dumnire V, Wei Q, Starzinski-Powitz A, Sawaya R, Bruner J, Fuller GN, Aldape K, and Zhang W. Shrew 1 gene, commonly deleted on chromosome 1p36 in oligodendrogliomas, functions to inhibit cell adhesion. Cancer Bio and Therapy. 5(3):300-4, 2206. Cover art of the March issue. (McDonald JM graduated with PhD in 2005, Dunlap S graduated with PhD in 2007))

Wang G, Hu L, Fuller GN, Zhang W. An interaction between insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 and integrin a5 is essential for IGFBP2-induced cell mobility J. Biol. Chem. 281(20):14085-91. 2006 (Wang G graduated with MD/PhD in 2006)

Trent JC, Ramdas L, Dupart JJ, Hunt K, Oyedeji C, Taylor EE, Hu L, Chen LL, Benjamin RS, Pollock R, and Zhang W. Imatinib Mesylate Induces Expression of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. Cancer 107(8):1898-908, 2006. (Dupart JJ is a current PhD student)

Dunlap SM, Celestino J, Wang H, Jiang R, Holland E, Fuller GN, and Zhang W. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 promotes glioma development and progression. Proc Natl Acad. Sci. USA 104(28):11736-41, 2007 (Dunlap SM graduated with PhD in 2007, Wang H graduated with PhD in 2004)

Price N, Trent J, El-Naggar A, Cogdell D, Taylor EE, Hunt K, Pollock R, Hood L, Shmulevich I, and Zhang W. Highly Accurate Two-Gene Diagnostic Classifier for Differentiating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Leiomyosarcomas. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104:3414-19, 2007.

Program Affiliation:
Program in Cancer Biology