1. Society of Biochemists, India
2. Association of Ageing, India
3. American Association for the Advancement of Science
4. American Association for Cancer Research
5. International Society of Free Radical Research
6. Oxygen Society
7. Society of Toxicology
8. South-Eastern Society of Toxicology
9. International Society of  Coumerin Investigators
10. Member, Sterling Who's Who
11. Permanent Member of Frontiers in Bioscience Society of scientists
12. American Association for Public Health

1. We are focusing on testing the hypothesis that 4-OH-E2-mediated accumulation of ROS and Ca2+ within the mammary epithelial cells influences activation of AKT-NRF-1 pathway leading to malignant transformation. Therefore we are investigating two potential mechanisms: (1) 4-OH-E2-induced ROS and Ca2+ transduce signals through the activation of the redox sensitive AKT-NRF-1 pathway; and (2) 4-OH-E2-induced ROS and Ca2+ through activating redox sensitive transcription factor NRF-1 is involved in the conversion of normal breast epithelial cells to transformed breast epithelial cells.

2. Dr. Roy and his associates have recently identified two cancer specific genes, a breast cancer susceptible gene BRFH1 and a kidney cancer susceptible gene SKCG1 (both genes are patented). These cancer-specific genes could readily be identified using biopsy tissues and is believed to indicate a breast and kidney cancer risk. We are further pursuing their signaling pathways in normal and transformed cells.

3. Our intent is to identify what factors allow a Jewish subpopulation to remain healthy compared to another Jewish subpopulation with breast cancer. The overall objective of this proposal is to establish correlations between the environmental stressors (i.e., diet, nutrition, physical activity, indoor air, other environmental stressors) and genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode estrogen metabolizing genes, pro-inflammatory genes, Alu containing cell cycle genes, and detoxification enzymes for oxidative stress within middle age women, elder tumor-free women and breast cancer patients.

4. To identify new early biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for brain cancer through genomic and proteomic analysis. The two main objectives of this study are: 1.) to evaluate activation and/or expression of components of the mitochondrial biogenesis signal transduction pathway in human brain cancer specimens from patients who undergo resection; and 2.) to relate the status of molecular markers in human brain cancers to overall survival, disease-free survival, and to identify early more aggressive neoplasm.

5. To understand what leads to the excessive neuronal activity in the human brain that leads to seizures and to identify new targets for drug treatment. We are employing functional genomic and proteomics approaches using super microarray and proteomics technologies to map gene and protein expression patterns to the electrical abnormalities in human epileptic tissues removed during epilepsy surgery.  We are identifying a common set of activity-dependent human epilepsy genes and their protein products that will develop new directions to understand and treat this disease.

6. Genetic and epigenetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals with estrogen-like activity and risk of developing urogenital cancers, defects in brain developmental and reproductive diseases. We are investigating the effects of acylation and methylation of genes and proteins in these diseases.

7. A large number of pesticides show endocrine-disrupting activities. The potential for human and animal exposure to such pesticides is very high. Farmers, as a group, are particularly at risk, because they are subject to higher-than-average levels of exposure to pesticides over longer-than-average periods. Our environmental molecular epidemiological study  focuses on specific pesticides, accurately assessing exposure using molecular biomarkers, and then examines any association between pesticides and hormonal cancers among farmers.