Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Gihana [The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Fellow] investigates the role of cellular morphology in mediating the oncogenic signaling of the gene RAS in pancreatic cancer. RAS is altered in more than 30% of human cancers, making it one of the genes most affected by cancer-causing alterations. Oncogenic RAS induces pronounced changes in cell morphology. Dr. Gihana aims to understand how the changes in cell morphology contribute to the potential of RAS to cause cancer. Because direct inhibition of oncogenic RAS has been difficult to achieve, these studies of other cellular parameters that mediate RAS impact on cancer is likely to contribute to novel and effective therapies.