Julie Saba, MD, PhD, investigates the role of sphingosine phosphate lyase (SPL) an enzyme that breaks down sphingosine phosphate (S1P), a lipid molecule found in every cell in the body responsible for regulating cell growth, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, and also a prime suspect in the causes of cancer.

“We’re just now understanding how the gene works, and that’s the first step,” says Dr. Saba. “This lays the foundation for further cancer studies.” Cancer cells reduce the levels of this enzyme, which causes S1P to accumulate and stimulate cell growth.

Among the few hundred most cited scientists in all fields and the pioneer of the Ames Test, which identifies potentially carcinogenic substances, Bruce Ames, PhD, contines to investigate the ground-breaking results of his recent studies that suggest common deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can damage DNA through mechanisms similar to those of radiation or carcinogenic chemicals.

"What we eat early in life or what the fetus is exposed to in utero ma have effects on our DNA that surface many years later," explains Dr. Ames.

Kenneth Beckman, PhD, studies the role of epigenetic programming in cancer, with a specific interest in the role of fetal exposures to dietary and toxicological agents that may cause changes in the activity of genes implicated in the development of cancer.

These are but a few of the ways in which CHORI researchers in the Center for Cancer Research are pushing the envelope of basic cancer research. Explore the Principle Investigator link in the sidebar menu to discover all basic research conducted in CHORI’s Center for Cancer Research.