Major Research Interests
The mission of the UW Colon and Rectal Surgery Laboratory is two fold. First we hope to contribute positively to the understanding of the etiology of colon and rectal cancer. We hope that these contributions will ultimately lead to not only a better understanding of behaviors that modify risk for cancer, but also to novel therapies that will ultimately improve outcomes. Second, we strive to provide an outstanding training environment in which we will train the next generation of both surgeons and scientists.
Additional research interests
Our lab is interested in understanding how environmental exposures modulate the risk for colon and rectal cancer. In particular, we are studying the role of the PAS proteins in colon and rectal cancer. PAS proteins are a family of environmentally responsive proteins that have multiple functions including response to environmental toxins such as the dioxins and modulation of the circadian clock. Additionally, we are interested in identifying molecular factors that correlate with recurrence and survival following treatment for colon and rectal cancer. To this end, we utilize multiple microscopic and molecular techniques to investigate the collagen structure at the tumor-stromal interface as well as to evaluate the transcriptional and microRNA profile of tumors and normal tissues.
Clinically, our research interests centers around understanding the factors that contribute to poor postoperative outcomes such as wound and pulmonary complications following surgery for both benign and malignant disease of the colon and rectum. We are particularly interested in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer in the older adult population and trying to improve short-term outcomes. To this end, we utilize large national databases as well as our own institutional database which characterize postoperative complications following surgery.