Pheruza Tarapore
University of Cincinnati, Department of Environmental
Health.
Welcome!
RESEARCH:
My research focuses on two separate fields Cancer therapy and Health outcomes of Endocrine disruptors.
I am part of a pilot study examining the risk of prostate cancer and testicular reprogramming following dietary fatty acid consumption and BPA exposure during prenatal development, a critical susceptible window. Additionally, the short and long term effects of low doses of endocrine disruptors on the cell centrosome duplication cycle in prostate cells, and the underlying mechanism are being investigated. I have been collaborating with Dr. Shuk-mei Ho looking at the role of Bisphenol A in increasing the risk of pro-inflammatory (PIN) lesions in the prostate, and prostate cancer incidence. Decreasing the risk of cancer development and/or progression is also important. The possibility of environmental exposures such as bisphenol A having an effect on fertility and increasing risk to prostate cancer initiation cannot be easily discounted. Given that exposure to BPA is ubiquitous in the U.S., and that the Bisphenol A replacement Bisphenol S is also estrogenic, this study is of paramount interest for the general population and a legitimate public health concern. My long term goal is to develop novel molecular predictors of at-risk populations for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)-modulated effects on male reproductive tract disorders/diseases such as prostate cancer, and increase our understanding of the underlying mechanism(s) responsible.
Some of my studies also focus on developing tissue targeted diagnostic
and therapeutic strategies for prostate, breast and ovarian cancer. I am interested on finding
effective RNA therapies to target advanced cancers, and to develop more
sensitive and specific bio-imaging agents. Our studies are aimed at developing
an RNA aptamer based approach for treating cancers. This
involves development of RNA vehicles to deliver pro-apoptotic microRNA and siRNA
targeting
pro-survival genes, to specific tissues. The RNA vehicles consist of
the
relatively non-immunogenic and stable RNA aptamers specific for
prostate, breast or
ovarian cancer cells. We are also developing various strategies to
engineer the
delivery vehicle and couple it with the therapeutic components to
increase
efficiency of delivery. Along the same line, we are interesting
in identifying novel biomarkers involved in abiraterone resistance,
with the aim to either use them for therapy, or for prognostic
applications to predict Abiraterone sensitivity/resistance.
The centrosome organizes the mitotic spindle the collection of protein filaments that
pull the duplicated chromosomes (DNA) apart during cell division; thus ensuring
that the two daughter cells each get one centrosome and a complete set of
chromosomes. Thus, it plays a major role during cell division. Without the
centrosome, normal division of human cells could not occur. The centrosome
itself has to duplicate once during a cell cycle. If this centrosome regulation
is disrupted, it can result in generation of extra centrosomes.
The presence of multiple copies of centrosomes can
lead to formation of multiple mitotic spindles, disrupt the process of proper
separation of chromosomes into daughter cells, and thus result in either loss
or gain of extra copies of chromosomes per daughter cell. This chromosomal
instability plays an important role in cancer development, acting as an
aggressive force for acquisition of more malignant characteristics.
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