Home > Cancer and Treatments > Pancreatic Cancer > Research
The Laboratory of Dr. Charles F. Burant
University of Michigan
The Burant lab focuses on the study of Diabetes, with on-going research in many areas.
The lab is interested in identifying the ways in which nutrients, drugs and biologics affect insulin sensitivity
and the way that they lead to Type II Diabetes. They are evaluating these affects through clincal research,
utilizing animal models of diabetes and insulin sensitivity, and through studying the underlying cellular pathways
of energy metabolism.
Additionally, the Burant lab is interested in studying how new ß-cells can be generated ex vivo for the treatment
of both Type I and II Diabetes. They are utilizing novel techniques to prospectively isolate and differentiate adult
pancreatic stem/progenitor cells into multiple pancreatic lineages.
Visit the Burant Lab
The Lab of Dr. David M. Lubman
University of Michigan
The Lubman Laboratory is involved in developing novel biotechnologies to solve difficult biological problems. The
focus of the work has been in the field of Proteomics and Cancer Research. Proteomics involves the study of the
protein expression of a cell, where proteins are the entities that perform the functions of the cell. The labs
work has involved developing methods to profile large numbers of proteins expressed by cancer cells and to understand
how these proteins are different than those observed from normal cells. Proteins that are modified or overexpressed
in cancer cells often result in new protein pathways that lead to tumorogenesis and metastasis of the cancer.
Visit the Lubman Lab
The Lab of Dr. Marina Pasca di Magliano
University of Michigan
Dr. Pasca di Magliano's research concentrates on the formation and progression of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on signaling pathways,
such as Hedgehog and Wnt., that are activated during carcinogenesis. In particular, how these signaling pathways mediate the interactions of
tumor cells with components of the tumor stroma. Her work also explores the link between inflammation and pancreatic cancer.
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The Lab of Dr. Mats Ljungman
University of Michigan
Dr. Ljungman's lab is assisting with the examination of ATDC in DNA damage response. Over-expression of ATDC results in increased
proliferation both in vitro and in vivo and leads to increased radiation resistance. The collaboration has found that ATDC is rapidly
phosphorylated by the ATM kinase following irradiation and this leads to the re-localization of ATDC to sites of DNA damage. The lab is
currently further investigating the mechanisms by which ATDC stimulates proliferation and protects cells from ionizing radiation and are
screening for compounds that inactivates ATDC.
Visit the Ljungman Lab
The Lab of Dr. David Misek
University of Michigan
The Misek lab focuses on the Proteomic characterization of pancreatic cancer. His laboratory is presently characterizing biologically
and clinically relevant pancreatic cancer biomarkers, using state-of-the-art proteomics and metabolomics as our discovery platform. These
biomarkers are being characterized for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications.
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The Lab of Dr. Brian Haab
Van Andel Institute
Dr. Haab's laboratory is developing and using novel protein analysis methods to identify and study protein abnormalities in the
blood of cancer patients. The lab has developed several novel formats of protein microarrays, which enable the analysis of hundred of
different proteins in small volumes on the surfaces of microscope slides. These methods have led to the identification of several proteins or
protein forms that are present at high levels in pancreatic cancer patients. The lab is seeking to use the measurement of these protein
abnormalities to develop blood tests for the early detection or more accurate diagnosis of cancer. In addition, certain proteins that are
secreted from cancer cells may interact with the body to help cancers to progress. The lab is pursuing a better understanding those processes,
which eventually may be harnessed to develop strategies to combat cancer progression.
Visit the Laboratory of Cancer Immunodiagnostics
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