J. HeftiÂ
Professor
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Buffalo
Russian Federation
Biography
Dr. Blanco‘s goal is to perform translational research using a combination of approaches based on a) the analysis of biological samples from selected populations, and b) the use of informative laboratory models. A project in Dr. Blanco‘s laboratory is related to the understanding of the factors that govern interindividual variability in the metabolism and disposition of the anthracyclines doxorubicin and daunorubicin. It is possible that specific sequence variations in genes associated with the metabolism and disposition of anthracyclines may impact the risk of cardiotoxicity in some individuals. Our efforts are focused on the discovery and characterization of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a family of genes involved in the metabolism of anthracyclines in liver, heart and different types of tumors (e.g. breast and lung cancer). We are investigating the extent of DNA sequence variation in these selected gene candidates among normal individuals from different ethnic groups. We will study genotype-phenotype correlations by using paired tissue-DNA-RNA samples available from my collaborators from the Pharmacogenetics of Anticancer Agents Research group, and from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. We will expand our studies to characterize the functional effect of the genetic variants by using different in-vitro and in-vivo models (e.g. cultures of hepatocytes,cardiomyocytes, transgenic mice).
Research Interest
Dr. Blanco‘s goal is to perform translational research using a combination of approaches based on a) the analysis of biological samples from selected populations, and b) the use of informative laboratory models. A project in Dr. Blanco‘s laboratory is related to the understanding of the factors that govern interindividual variability in the metabolism and disposition of the anthracyclines doxorubicin and daunorubicin. It is possible that specific sequence variations in genes associated with the metabolism and disposition of anthracyclines may impact the risk of cardiotoxicity in some individuals. Our efforts are focused on the discovery and characterization of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a family of genes involved in the metabolism of anthracyclines in liver, heart and different types of tumors (e.g. breast and lung cancer). We are investigating the extent of DNA sequence variation in these selected gene candidates among normal individuals from different ethnic groups. We will study genotype-phenotype correlations by using paired tissue-DNA-RNA samples available from my collaborators from the Pharmacogenetics of Anticancer Agents Research group, and from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute. We will expand our studies to characterize the functional effect of the genetic variants by using different in-vitro and in-vivo models (e.g. cultures of hepatocytes,cardiomyocytes, transgenic mice).