Projects

The original goal of our center is to study the phytonutrient mechanism of action in both inflammatory and proliferative diseases of the pancreas in which we will use both molecular biology tools and metabolomics technology to investigate altered cellular function. Our scientific programs will study the role of polyphenols in pancreatic disease including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Polyphenols have been shown to have many diverse biological properties that could explain their anti-cancer effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activities. Our current investigation will start studying polyphenols on in vitro cell systems and progress to anima models of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. In three research projects with translational research potential: Project 1 will determine the effects of polyphenols on inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, Project 2 will study how polyphenols regulate lipid inflammatory process in pancreatic cancer, and Project 3 will investigate the effects of flavonoids in pancreatic carcinogenesis and angiogenesis.

Our goal of the Center was expanded to investigate other dietary constituents on their mechanism of action and subsequently obtained additional funding from other sources to conduct specific projects (see other grants). The three projects funded by NCCAM and other projects utilize our shared core resources including the Animal Model Core, Phytonutrient Core, and Metabolomics Core. The Administrative Core continues to coordinate, integrate, and oversee the daily functions of the program. In addition, other related research projects supported by the federal and other funding agencies, will be utilizing our shared core resources.

Project 1: Phytochemicals and Metabolism in Pancreatic Diseases

Principle Investigator: Stephen J. Pandol, MD
Co-Principle Investigator: Anna S. Gukovskaya, PhD
Co-Investigator: Ilya Gukovsky, PhD
Co-Investigator: Aurelia Lugea, PhD
Co-Investigator: HongXiang Hui, MD PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow: Mouad Edderkaoui, PhD

Project 2:  Polyphenols Regulate Lipid inflammatory Processes in Pancreatic Cancer

Principle Investigator: Diane Harris, PhD
Co-Investigator: Guido Eibl, MD
Co-Investigator: Vay Liang W. Go, MD

Project 3: Flavonoids in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis & Angiogenesis

Principle Investigator: Joe O. Hines, MD
Co-Principle Investigator: Paul W. N. Lee, PhD
Research Assistant: Eliane Angst, MD
Collaborator: David Dawson, MD

The Center investigators have been studying different phytonutrients either through our projects or collaborative studies. We have started to investigate their synergistic efforts of various flavonoids derived from phytonutrients from different classes of food products.