From zebrafish genes, umbilical cord stem cells and obese mice to nanoparticles, antioxidants and drug development, K-State basic cancer researchers are conquering cancers from many different angles.
New drugs can’t be created, or clinical trials conducted, without the fundamental knowledge that is first gained from basic research. Such research provides the basis for understanding cells, cancer formation and more.
Cancer center affiliates are from many disciplines. Developmental geneticists, Sue Brown, associate professor of biology, and Rob Denell, distinguished professor of biology and director of the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, use the red flour beetle to study genes that are important to human development and can be relevant to cancer formation. Deryl Troyer, professor of anatomy and physiology, is investigating the use of noncontroversial umbilical cord stem cells to kill tumor cells. Ron Madl, director of the Bioprocessing and Industrial Value Added Program; Dolores Takemoto, professor of biochemistry; and George Wang, associate professor of human nutrition; study the cancer-fighting powers of antioxidants in different varieties of wheat. Professors of chemistry Christer Aakeröy and Stefan Bossmann and assistant professor of chemistry Viktor Chikan study chemical, photodynamic and magnetic nanoparticles as approaches to cancer treatment. Veterinary Medicine affiliates conduct studies such as evaluating normal versus cancer cell function and tumor progression and metastasis.
As researchers earn patents, international recognition and millions of dollars a year in extramural funding, the cancer center strives to further enable their success by augmenting their financial resources. Affiliated scientists receive funding for seed grants, technical support and training.