Douglas Thomas, PhD

The primary focus of this lab is to investigate the myriad of abnormal epigenetic modifications that have been associated with tumor phenotype via tumor suppressor silencing or upregulation of oncogenic proteins. Our approach uses both in vitro and in vivo model systems coupled with a multitude of methodologies including mass spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance imaging of free radicals, chemiluminescence, electrochemical, and molecular biology techniques. Specifically we study the free radical signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). We were the first to identify novel mechanisms of NO signaling by establishing that NO is an endogenous epigenetic regulatory molecule that has significant effects on gene expression via modifying proteins, DNA, and RNA. The current emphasis of our team focuses on genome-wide analysis of molecular events leading to the development and ultimate treatment of breast and brain cancers.