Genes X Environment Research Program Leader
Zachary Pursell, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
zpursell@tulane.edu
Program Aims:
Aim 1: Investigate the role of genetic instability in cancer development and therapeutic targeting.
- Define the mechanisms by which genetic instability, including mutations, epigenetic alterations, and defects in DNA repair pathways, drive tumorigenesis and progression.
- Identify and characterize therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with genetic instability, focusing on the development and evaluation of targeted clinical trials for DNA repair and mutation-associated gene targets.
- Leverage cutting-edge genomic and epigenomic technologies to translate findings into personalized cancer therapies.
Aim 2: Explore the contribution of oncogenic viruses to cancer initiation and progression.
- Characterize the oncogenic mechanisms of viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis C virus (HepC), human papillomavirus (HPV), and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in driving genetic instability and tumor microenvironment modulation.
- Investigate virus-host interactions that promote immune evasion and tumor growth, identifying molecular pathways for therapeutic intervention.
- Translate findings into innovative therapeutic strategies, including virus-targeted treatments and immunotherapies.
Aim 3: Assess the impact of circadian rhythms and exogenous exposures on cancer treatment efficacy and outcomes.
- Determine how circadian rhythm disruption in cancer patients influences drug efficacy, toxicity, and treatment outcomes, addressing the underexplored potential of circadian-regulated gene targets.
- Conduct preclinical and clinical studies to optimize the timing of drug administration for improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Investigate the role of environmental mutations in disrupting circadian rhythms and driving cancer progression, integrating environmental and circadian biology into precision oncology approaches.
