Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and in Virginia. Our investigators, in partnership with scientists across VCU, are working to better understand and leverage the ways the immune system recognizes and destroys cancer cells and tumors.
Our basic science research examines the interaction between biological factors and cancer-causing mutations, such as the role of bile acids in the liver’s signaling pathways and how they contribute to liver cancer and biliary tumor growth. Translational studies aim to improve cancer treatment through adoptive T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies.
In collaboration with partners such as Massey Cancer Center and the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, our faculty, students and trainees conduct cutting-edge studies spanning the following areas related to cancer biology and immunology:
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- Immunobiology of breast cancer
- Immunobiology of liver cancer
- Immunotherapy and vaccine development
- Microbes and carcinogenesis
- Tumor biology and cell signaling
Labs and Facilities
As members of the broader VCU research community, students and faculty in the department have access to state-of-the-art core facilities across the MCV Campus. This includes the Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, which offers multiple flow cytometers and other cutting-edge instruments and technologies.
Faculty
Explore faculty research interests and recent publications by clicking the photos below.
Wook-Jin Chae, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Wook-Jin Chae, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Harrison Scholar / CCTR Scholar
Massey Cancer Center / Phillips Oral Health Research Institute
Research Interests
• Pathological mechanisms of oral health diseases (periodontitis and gingivitis)
• Regulatory mechanisms of pulmonary injury, inflammation and repair via Wnt and Dickkopf1
• Mechanisms of Dickkopf1-mediated tumorigenesis and metastasis
• Chemical/oral bacteria-mediated inflammation and its implication in oral cancer
Email: wook-jin.chae@vcuhealth.org
Phillip Hylemon, Ph.D.
Professor
Phillip Hylemon, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Research Interests
• Gut microbiome’s role in health and disease
• Bile acid metabolism by gut bacteria
• Bile acid-activated cell signaling pathways and liver disease
• Clostridium difficile, endogenous antibiotics and secondary bile acids
Email: phillip.hylemon@vcuhealth.org
Masoud H. Manjili, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor
Masoud H. Manjili, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Research Interests
• Immunotherapeutic targeting of cancer dormancy
• Hepatic immunological patterns associated with fatty liver disease and liver cancer
• The adaptation model of immunity
Email: masoud.manjili@vcuhealth.org
Rebecca K. Martin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rebecca K. Martin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Director, Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, Massey Cancer Center
Scientific Director, VCU Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program
Email: rebecca.martin@vcuhealth.org
Lisa S. Shock, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Lisa S. Shock, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Graduate Program Director
Research Interests:
• Epigenetics
• Mitochondria and cell metabolism
• Cancer biology
Email: lisa.shock@vcuhealth.org
Huiping Zhou, Ph.D., AGAF, FAASLD
Professor
Huiping Zhou, Ph.D., AGAF, FAASLD
Professor
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Research Interests
• Bile acids and sphingolipids in liver diseases
• Long noncoding RNA H19 in cholestatic liver disease
• Circular RNA in NAFLD and cholestatic liver disease
• Bile acids and sphingolipid in NASH-HCC and cholangiocarcinoma
Email: huiping.zhou@vcuhealth.org