Science Park in the News
Study Uncovers Actin's Action in the Nucleus (03/25/2013)
The function of nuclear actin has stumped scientists for several decades. In this breakthrough study featured on the cover of Nature Structural Biology, Science Park faculty member Dr. Snow Shen uncovered one of the protein's key nuclear functions.
Chromatin Gets a Makeover (01/31/2013)
Dr. Sharon Dent and Dr. David Johnson, faculty from the Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Center for Cancer Epigenetics, review a number of recent studies highlighting chromatin's role as both receiver and transmitter of signals in various cell functions.
Prostate Cancer Stem Cells Emerge from Low-PSA Cells (05/03/2012)
Science Park faculty member Dr. Dean Tang led a study that for the first time separated low-PSA and high-PSA prostate cancer cells, which led to the discovery of a low-PSA population of cancer stem cells that appears to be an important source of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
UT MD Anderson Scientists Discover Secret Life of Chromatin (08/30/2011)
A team of researchers directed by Dr. Sharon Dent, director of the Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis and Center for Cancer Epigenetics, investigate a signaling activity of chromatin that is independent of its central role in gene transcription.
UT MD Anderson Preclinical Research Boosts Case for New Drug Approach (01/16/2011)
A research team led by Dr. Dean Tang of Science Park reported that a microRNA inhibits prostate cancer metastasis by suppressing a surface protein commonly found on prostate cancer stem cells.
Researchers Find Melanoma Not Caused by Early UVA Light Exposure (05/2010)
Investigators from Dr. David Mitchell's lab at Science Park reported that early life exposure to ultraviolet A light does not cause melanoma in a fish model that previously made that connection.
Research Highlight
Prostate cancer cells that express low levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) give rise to cancer stem cells that are both hard to kill with existing drugs and highly capable of generating cancer cells on a large scale. Studies in the Tang lab have recently shed light on these resilient cells, revealing that low-PSA prostate cancer cells divide slowly and express anti-stress genes that help them resist chemotherapy.
Read more
Learn more about the Tang Laboratory.