RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY

Introduction
Involved Researchers
Ongoing Research
Recently Published Articles

The department has a rapidly growing research portfolio in the area of molecular epidemiology. Faculty members are investigating polymorphisms in genes involved in regulating circadian rhythms, carcinogen metabolism, DNA repair, and nutrient metabolism in relation to incidence of and mortality from breast and colon cancers. Identification of joint effects of genes and environmental or demographic factors such as sleep rhythms, race, and nutrition in relation to cancer risk and mortality are actively being pursued. Current research projects related to circadian rhythms include examining the relationship between circadian rhythm disruption and breast and colon cancer risk and polyp formation. Ongoing research projects in relation to nutrition include the associations among cooked meat intake, DNA repair genes, and breast cancer risk, recurrence, and survival; and the relationship between serum and breast tissue vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D-related genetic polymorphisms by race. These studies are part of the USC Cancer Prevention and Control Program.

Involved Researchers:
James Burch Ph.D.
Susan Steck Ph.D.
Erik Svendsen Ph.D.
Dawen Xie Ph.D.

current Grants:
Antioxidants and MRI-Defined Vascular Depression
Susan Steck Ph.D. (Consultant)
NARSAD
July 31, 2007 – June 30, 2009
The goal of this project is to investigate the role of antioxidants in the occurrence and neuropathology of depression in later life by determining the differences in antioxidant intake between individuals with late-life depression as compared to elderly control subjects; and among individuals with late-life depression, determine the association between dietary antioxidants and lesion severity (as defined by lesion volume).

Epigenetics and Diet in the Carcinogenesis Process
Susan Steck Ph.D. (PI)
USC Research Opportunity Program
April 01, 2007 – June 30, 2008
The goal of this pilot project is to recruit individuals from a local South Carolina gastroenterology clinic into an epidemiologic study examining the role of DNA methylation in colorectal cancer and the associations between specific dietary factors and DNA methylation of genes related to the carcinogenesis process.

Comparative Bioinformatics and TP53 Expression Introduction
Dawen XiePh.D. (Co-I)
NIH/NLM
October 01, 2005 – September 30, 2009
The overall aim of this project is to integrate bioinformatics, mammalian evolutionary genomics, 3D structure, and comparative functional molecular biology to better understand the evolutionary process. This will use the TP53/GNB5 system as a model example.

Gene-Nutrient Interactions and Breast Cancer
Susan Steck Ph.D. (PI)
National Cancer Institute/NIH
September 01, 2003 – August 31, 2008
The major goal of this training award is to obtain training in genetic epidemiology and survival analyses and conduct a research project to examine the interaction between cruciferous vegetable intake, polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 and breast cancer risk, recurrence and survival in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project.

recently published articles:
Steck, S.E., Chalecki, A.M., Miller, P., Conway, J., Austin, G., Hardin, J.W., Albright, C., and Thuillier, P. Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation for Twelve Weeks Increases Lean Body Mass in Obese Humans. Journal of Nutrition, 137(5):1188-1193, 2007.

Gong Z, Hebert JR, Bostick RM, Deng Z, Hurley TG, Dixon DA, Nitcheva D, Xie D. Common polymorphisms in 5-lipoxygenase and 12-lipoxygenase genes and the risk of incident, sporadic colorectal adenoma. Cancer. 2007 Mar 1;109(5):849-57.

Zonglin Deng, Zhihong Gong, Roberd M. Bostick, Franklin G. Berger, James R. Hebert, and Dawen Xie. Functional Promoter Polymorphism (-174 G/C) of the Interleukin-6 Gene and Risk for Incident, Sporadic Colorectal Adenomas. The Sterling Life Sciences Journal. June 2007.

Steck SE, Gammon MD, Hebert JR, Wall DE, Zeisel SH. GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTA1 polymorphisms and urinary isothiocyanate metabolites following broccoli consumption in humans. J Nutr 2007; 137(4):904-909.