OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Research Groups:Members

Home Faculty Graduate Program Postdocs OHSU Knight Core Facilities

Programs Res Group Meetings Cancer Journal Club Cell/CANB 616 Gen. Inst/R3 Club CANB 610

Under construction **under construction**

Primary Faculty

Eric Barklis,PhD

Professor

OHSU faculty page
Research in the Barklis lab focuses on the assembly and replication of viruses, such as retroviruses, flaviviruses, and hantaviruses, using molecular genetic, biochemical, and biophysical techniques. Molecular genetic and biochemical are employed to investigate viral protein interactions, RNA recognition and encapsidation, and cellular factors involved in virus replication and assembly. To analyze virus particles, proteins, and macromolecular complexes, a variety of biophysical methods are utilized, including sedimentation, crosslinking, fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence anisotropy, transmission electron microscopy (EM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). One set of recent investigations concentrates on the identification and analysis of small molecule inhibitors of virus replication. A second avenue of inquiry concerns the mechanisms that govern how HIV structural proteins assemble conical, cylindrical and spherical cores. Our third major area of research focuses on protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions of retrovirus membrane-binding proteins. Ultimately, we believe our studies will lead to the development of new antivirals, and a better understanding of the basic principles controlling macromolecular assembly.

Michael Deininger, MD,PhD

Associate Professor

OHSU Faculty Page
Joining OHSU in 2002, Dr. Deininger`s clinical interests concentrate on bone marrow transplantation and leukemia. His research focuses on the molecular basis of resistance to imatinib mesylate in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Our work in the Hematology and Medical Oncology Division is dedicated to the study and treatment of cancer and disorders of the blood in adults. Research in the diagnosis and treatment of various anemias, lymphomas, leukemias and pre-leukemia, cancer of the lung, prostate, breast, colon, head and neck, testicular cancer, thrombosis and coagulation disorders, aging, supportive care and bone marrow failure are integral elements of our clinical practice. Our laboratory research is conducted in the interest of coagulation, hematopoiesis, tumor immunology, transplantation immunology, DNA repair, leukemogenesis, HIV biology, cell cycle control, retroviral mediated gene transfer, cancer chemotherapeutics, and gene therapy

Brian Druker, MD

Professor

OHSU Faculty Page
Dr. Druker's current research projects are aimed at learning why each year some 4% of newly diagnosed patients with CML develop resistance to Gleevec and why most patients on the drug have minute levels of cancer that linger even after treatment ends. Resistance to Gleevec most commonly results from mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase that reactivates its signaling mechanism. He recently identified a class of compounds that can inhibit most of these mutants, and similar compounds are now in clinical trials. A more pressing problem, Druker believes, are the traces of leukemia that remain in patients' bodies, a phenomenon called molecular persistence. He is working in the laboratory to purify leukemia cells from patients to determine why these cells aren't being killed so that a strategy can be developed to eradicate the cancer.