Current Research:
I am interested in function of lipids in activating intracellular signaling. My past focus has been on the investigation of the enzyme phospholipase D (PLD) and its involvement in stimulating certain pathways in ovarian cancer cell lines. I am currently examining the synthesis of the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) via PLD and how it promotes proliferation and survival in ovarian cancer via activation of proliferative and survival pathways, such as the ERK/ MAP kinase and PI3K/ Akt pathways. I am also determining the role of alkyl DHAP synthase, the first committed enzyme of alkyl lipid synthesis in promoting the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive ether lipids that may sustain ovarian cancer cells in culture. This research intends to further understand the function of ascities fluid that has been demonstrated to support ovarian tumors in vivo.
Research supported by NIH NRSA 1 F31 CA10619 - 01A1 
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