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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 02:04:45 PM Mon, 20 Apr 2020   Contact Information Robert Tsai Associated Profiles  Associate Professor, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Institute of Biosciences and Technology -TAMHSC     robtsai@tamu.edu     713-677-7690    Web Link    Self-Renewing Proliferation of Stem Cells, Endogenous Regenerative Process, Damaged Tissue, Diseases, Injuries, Central Nervous System, Metastatic Tumors, High-Grade Tumors, Mouse Genetic Models    Associated Profiles Professional Preparation Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Professional Preparation  Degree Major Institution Year  MD   National Taiwan University    BS   National Taiwan University    Research and Expertise Research Interests   The research interest of my laboratory is focused on the molecular mechanism that drives the self-renewing proliferation of stem cells, with the hope that we can use this knowledge to enhance the endogenous regenerative process to repair damaged tissues caused by diseases or injuries, particularly in the central nervous system, and, on the flip side, to reduce the uncontrolled proliferation seen in metastatic and high-grade tumors. The biological systems we use are ES, primary neural stem cell culture, and cancer cell lines, as well as mouse genetic models. The molecular target of our present studies is a family of nucleolar GTPases, one of which, nucleostemin (NS), confers a unique nucleolar state in the stem cells. NS was previously identified as enriched in the stem cell population, and shown to play important roles in keeping the neural stem cells and cancer cells in the cell cycle. The activity of NS is regulated by a small molecule in the cells (GTP) that serves as a molecular switch controlling the on and off states. Our work suggests a model in which continuously dividing cells use NS as a sensor to control their rate of division in response to changes that take place in their microenvironment. The mechanism by which NS and NS-related genes control tissue homeostasis in adult animals is being addressed in the following directions: 1) defining the unique nucleolar state in stem cells; 2) determining the signaling pathway that regulates the expression and activity of nucleostemin (NS) in stem cells and during adult tissue regeneration; and 3) establishing the role of NS-expressing cells in the tumorigenic process, with an emphasis on the brain, breast, and prostate tumors.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia Gulf Coast Cluster for Single Cell Omics  Training Grants The Cancer Therapeutics Training Program (CTTP)  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Associate Professor Center for Translational Cancer Research Institute of Biosciences and Technology -TAMHSC

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