Bhavani Krishnan
Second Year Student, 2008-2009
Education: M.S. (Nutrition), Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
Graduate Program: Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Laboratory Department: Hypertension and Vascular Research Center
Email: bkrishna@wfubmc.edu
Advisor: Dr. Ann Tallant
Research Interests:
Our laboratory investigates the anti-cancer properties of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], an endogenous, seven amino acid peptide hormone of the renin-angiotensin system. My mentors showed that angiotensin-(1-7) significantly reduced the proliferation of human lung cancer cells and attenuated the growth of non-small cell adenocarcinoma tumors in a xenograft model in athymic mice, with an associated reduction in cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). My research focuses on the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) on prostate cancer tumor growth and its metastasis to bone.
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2008 there will be approximately 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States. The 10-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer is 93%. However, over one third of patients who are treated with conventional therapy will develop metastases (when the tumor spreads from the primary organ of origin to other tissues), especially to bone. In addition, the majority of these patients have hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), where their tumors will grow independent of androgen. The current treatment for these patients is chemotherapy, which only provides marginal improvements in survival. Therefore, there is a need for development of novel therapeutics to treat and prevent metastases of prostate cancer. My project will provide preclinical data necessary in plans for a Phase II clinical trial to determine whether angiotensin-(1-7) can be used for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Publications:
Expression of viral genes is required for the lipogenic effect of a human adenovirus Ad-36. Miloni Mahida, Sharada Vangipuram, Bhavani Krishnan, Ahmad R. Heydari, Thomas C. Holland and Nikhil V. Dhurandhar. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007; 31(1):78-86.
Abstracts:
Inhibitory effect of Cidofovir (antiviral) on Ad-36 (adenovirus-36) up-regulation of fat cell (3T3-L1) differentiation. Bhavani Krishnan, Sharada Vangipuram, and Nikhil V. Dhurandhar (Poster presented at EB 2003).
Regulation of Wnt signaling, [beta]-Catenin translocation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by the novel gene Zfp106. Bhavani Krishnan, Jacalyn Macgowan, and Aamir R. Zuberi. Diabetes, June 2006, Vol. 55, A87 (abstract #OR-374) (Oral presentation for 66th scientific meeting of the American Diabetes Association 2006).
Identification of candidate genes associated with diet induced obesity in a novel congenic mouse strain using microarray analysis. Yongjun Wang, Bhavani Krishnan, Jacalyn Macgowan, and Aamir R. Zuber. Diabetes, June 2006, Vol55, A266 (Poster presentation at for 66th scientific meeting of the American Diabetes Association 2006)
Global changes in gene expression and inhibition of adipogenesis caused by Zfp106 overexpression in 3T3-L1 cells. Bhavani Krishnan and Aamir R. Zuberi. NASSO 2006, accepted as late breaking abstract, Abstract Number: 869-LP.