Gang Chen, PhD

There are two research directions in my laboratory. One direction is ethanol toxicity, in which we investigate the mechanism(s) for ethanol-induced damage to the developing central nervous system and consequent behavioral deficits targeting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and the mechanism of ethanol-enhanced mammary tumorigenesis. The other direction is the mechanism underlying arsenic lung carcinogenesis . FASD and the cancers caused by environmental factors are severe public health problems. The ultimate goal for our research is to find strategies for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. The approach is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the diseases and identify the responsible targets (genes, proteins or signaling pathways) using pharmacological or genetic manipulation methods in cell culture and animal models.