We have identified a mutation in the Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) protein in patients with congenital glaucoma and have shown that this mutation can cause glaucoma in mice. We are using these mice to identify the mechanism involved and search for new therapeutics.

The lab is interested in how cancer patients become unresponsive to anti-angiogenic therapies such as Avastin.  To explore this phenomenon of drug resistance, we knocked out VEGF in a common mouse tumor and studied the genes that are upregulated by the tumor as it tries to find other ways to induce angiogenesis.

We are working on the design and development of novel pomalidomide derivatives for treatment of multiple myeloma. This work is to address shortcomings associated with currently available immunomodulatory drugs. The new derivatives are tested in vivo and in vitro analyze their potency and explore their mechanisms of action.

Genetics studies looking at angiogenesis and lymphangiogeneis using the corneal micropocket assay as a phenotpye.

We are investigating angiopoietin-TIE2 signaling. TIE2 regulates tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis. Our goal is to identify TIE2 antagonists. We are using a phage display library containing clones expressing approximately one billion unique structurally constrained peptides to identify new small cyclic peptides that bind strongly to TIE2.