See also our related blog for the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Initiative.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Koichi's Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Accepted for Publication

Congratulations to Koichi, whose manuscript characterizing our alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma mouse model was accepted to Cancer Research today! This manuscript credentials our genetically-engineered mouse model for preclinical studies (drug target identification & therapeutic testing). Co-authors include lab member Mandy McCleish, Suresh Prajapati and lab alumni Andrea Rodriguez & Min Jung Cho. Collaborators included members of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (UTHSCSA), the Khan laboratory (NCI), the Wang laboratory (Univ of Illinois, Chicago), the Aronow laboratory (Univ of Cincinnati), the Barr laboratory (U Penn), the Ladadnyi laboratory (MSKCC) and the Qualman laboratory (Columbus Children's Hospital). This study was funded by the Scott Carter Foundation, a Bradley J. Breidinger Memorial Research Award from the Sarcoma Foundation of America, and the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

[ 3/31/09 We've just been informed that Koichi's paper has been selected for the Highlights section of the upcoming issue of Cancer Research. Congratulations, Koichi! ]

[ 4/1/09 Koichi's manuscript is on online. ]



[ on right: pre-gray file photo of Koichi ]

Friday, January 16, 2009

Jinu and Koichi present at AACR Mouse Models of Cancer Meeting

Lab members Jinu Abraham and Koichi Nishijo presented their posters this week in San Fransisco at the AACR Mouse Models of Cancer meeting. This was an exciting conference, and this year many researchers presented results challenging assumptions about cancer progression and therapeutics. We look forward to getting Jinu's and Koichi's stories to scientific journals for consideration very soon.

[ pictured: Jinu (left) and Koichi (right) on the last day of the conference ]

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Eri's Medulloblastoma Study Accepted for Publication

Congratulations to Eri, whose manuscript on medulloblastoma was accepted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer today! This paper describes a potentially new treatment approach to medulloblastoma using proteasome inhibitors. Co-authors include lab member Mandy McCleish and lab alumnist Min Jung Cho. This study was funded by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, St. Baldrick's Foundation and the National Brain Tumor Society. [ on right: medulloblastoma arising from the cerebellum in our new mouse model of medulloblastoma ]


UPDATE (11 Feb 2009): Eri's manuscript is now online ahead of print here.

UPDATE (11 Mar 2009): Eri's article will be the cover feature when it goes to print!

UPDATE (24 June 2009): Eri's article in in print as the cover and lead article.
UPDATE (15 Aug 2009): Eri's article is the feature of a Highlight Commentary in PBC by Kevin Cheung and Benjamin Ebert at Harvard. For the commentary, click here.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Welcoming Rachel

UTHSCSA graduate student Rachel Hartley will be rotating in our laboratory beginning January 12. Rachel received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in the Spring of 2008. As an undergraduate, Rachel worked with several professors that inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in the biomedical research field. As a first year graduate student at UTHSCSA, Rachel’s interests include Cancer, Immunology, and Pharmacology.

Friday, January 2, 2009

In Appreciation of Fran

We sincerely thank our administrative partner, Frances "Fran" Melton, for her assistance in our research efforts, particularly the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Initiative. For all those weekends working tirelessly to make it possible to develop novel new drugs for rhabdomyosarcoma & medulloblastoma, we convey to Fran our deepest gratitude. -- The Keller Lab and GCCRI

[upper right: Fran over the holidays in Phoenix. What an interesting sculpture! ]