Dorothea Becker, Ph.D., Professor
Ph.D., Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 1977
E-mail: dbecker@pitt.edu
Dr. Becker's Laboratory Website
The overall objective of the research conducted in my lab concerns the characterization of genes that govern the onset and progression of human neoplasia. Given this goal, my lab focuses upon human melanoma and its precursor lesions as a model. Using molecular approaches in combination with optical imaging, three major projects are pursued. First, determination of the role of basic fibroblast growth factors (FGF2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR-1) in melanoma proliferation and angiogenesis. Second, characterization of cell adhesion molecules that are involved in melanoma invasion and metastasis. Third, analysis of new genes, identified by SAGE and DNA microarrays that are expressed in early and advanced-stage melanomas and/or melanoma precursor lesions.
Recent Publications
Moschos, S. J., Pfaff Smith, A., Mandic, M., Athanassiou, C., Watson-Hurst, K., Jukic, D. M, Edington, H. D., Kirkwood, J. M., and Becker, D. (2007). SAGE and antibody array analysis of melanoma-infiltrated lymph nodes: identification of Ubc9 as an important molecule in advanced-stage melanomas. Oncogene 26: 4216-4225.
Watson-Hurst, K., and Becker, D. (2006). The role of N-cadherin, MCAM, and ¦Â3 Integrin in melanoma proliferation, migration, and invasion. Cancer Biol. Ther. 5: 1375-1382.
Smith, A. P. Hoek, K. and Becker, D. (2005). Whole-genome expression profiling of the melanoma progression pathway reveals marked molecular differences between nevi/melanoma in situ and advanced-stage melanomas. Cancer Biol. Ther. 4: 1018-1029.
Pfaff Smith, A., Weeraratna, A. T., Spears, J. R., Meltzer, P. S. and Becker, D. (2004). SAGE identification and fluorescence imaging analysis of genes and transcripts in melanomas and precursor lesions. Cancer Biol. Ther. 3: 104-109.
McDonald, S., Edington, H. D., Kirkwood, J. M. and Becker, D. (2004). Gene expression profiling of VGP melanomas and MGP melanoma-positive lymph nodes. Cancer Biol. Ther. 3: 110-120.
