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| Lab Contact Information Location: 613 Bossone / 310 Stratton (to relocate to the Bionanotechnology Lab) Lab Web site Address: http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~bas44 Lab Phone Number: 215.895.1804 |
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Faculty in Charge Name: Bahrad Sokhansanj Phone: 215.895.1804 Fax: 215.895.4983 Email: bahrad.sokhansanj@drexel.edu |
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Lab Overview The “Molecular Health Engineering” research philosophy is that the bridge between basic molecular biology and medicine will be built with bioengineering, through quantitative measurements and modeling. Our focus is a systems approach to a critical problem in chronic disease, including cancer: the impact of chronic inflammation on cell repair, apoptosis and death. We blend modern experimental methods with mathematical modeling and computer simulation to analyze the complex systemic response of a cell to the environmental stresses and intercellular signals of chronic inflammation. The current focus of our research is the regulation of DNA base excision repair (BER) under pro-inflammatory conditions. BER is the major cellular process responsible for the repair of oxidative DNA damage, which can result from the elevated levels of oxidative stress during inflammation. If a cell cannot repair damage, then normally it should proceed to apoptosis, a regulated form of cell death that is anti-inflammatory. If the balance between repair and cell death is dysregulated, then cells may proliferate abnormally - or if the repair pathway is overwhelmed, then they may be damaged, dysfunctional, and potentially even mutagenic. While our work may be generally applicable for chronic inflammation (i.e., diabetes, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory pain, etc.) we are focusing on processes relevant for COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |
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Phone 215.895.2215 | Fax 215.895.4983 | Email biomed@drexel.edu |
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| ©2005 School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems. All rights reserved. Terms of Use & Disclaimer | Last Modified: 11/25/2008 |