Kent Erickson, Ph.D.

Research Interests

My research program centers in the fields of cancer and stem cell biology as well as immunology.

One component of the research focuses on the role of stem cells in the development of the normal as well as the premalignant and the malignant mamary gland. Identification of novel cell surface markers would be extremely useful in the identification of stem cells from normal and malignant tissues as well as embryonic stem cells with the potential to differentiation along specific pathways. To identify new surface markers, we use small molecule combinatorial libraries to screen for novel peptides capable of binding to stem cells. Changes in the expression of cell surface antigens can provide a way to monitor cell differentiation. Thus, combinatorial libraries are used to identify the potential novel markers on recently developed human embryonic stem cells.

Another program focuses on dietary fat and breast cancer, particularly mechanisms by which fatty acids modify metastasis. Specific projects focus on the interaction of fatty acids with stem cells. Related to this is a project which focuses on the molecular regulation of macrophage function. This work makes use of cytokines and lipid mediators to assess pathways of signal transduction as well as effector functions of macrophages.

Graduate Group Affiliations

• Immunology
• Nutritional Biology
• Comparative Pathology