Investigating angiogenesis
Our lab studies tumor angiogenesis and angiogenic growth factors in cardiovascular disease, with an ultimate goal of improving treatment and early cancer detection.
Overview
The Tumor Angiogenesis and Vascular Biology Laboratory investigates the role of angiogenesis-related factors in tumor formation and development of cardiovascular diseases.
The lab's principal investigator, Debabrata (Dev) Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., hopes that this research can help improve early detection of cancer and lead to improved treatment options for patients with cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Growth of solid tumors beyond 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter requires the induction and maintenance of a new blood supply (angiogenesis). Failure to induce an angiogenic response can result in tumor dormancy, while interference with an established blood supply can lead to necrosis or apoptosis of tumor cells and tumor regression.
Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process maintained by a balance of positive and negative regulatory pathways. Because of its central role in abnormal tissue growth (neoplasia) and other non-neoplastic disorders and in normal adult physiology, angiogenesis has attracted a great deal of scientific interest.
Tumor angiogenesis is thought to result from the secretion of angiogenesis factors by tumor cells. These include growth factors, cytokines and a number of small molecules.
Growth factors possessing angiogenic activity include fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF). Angiogenic growth factors have been shown to have a role in tissue metabolism and pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure.
Research areas
Our lab conducts research in these main areas:
- Regulation and function of angiogenic growth factors
- Tumor stroma
- Endothelial biology
- Cardiovascular biology
- Cell signaling
- Preclinical models for tumor biology, angiogenesis and cardiovascular diseases
- Angiogenesis and the immune system
Affiliations
The Tumor Angiogenesis and Vascular Biology Lab works closely with other groups and organizations within Mayo Clinic, including:
About Dr. Mukhopadhyay
Dr. Mukhopadhyay is a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Jacksonville, Florida. His training and expertise in angiogenesis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes fuel his research on the tumor microenvironment. Dr. Mukhopadhyay and his team use disease models of pancreatic cancer and renal cancer to examine how tumors develop and induce the angiogenic response. This response plays a key role in the growth and spread of cancer.