The Department of Microbiology
and Molecular Cell Biology is actively involved in several specialized
programs.
The Virginia Prostate Center is a cooperative program of the Departments of
Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Pathology, Radiation Oncology, and Urology at
EVMS. The Center specifically focuses on improving our understanding of cancers of the
bladder, kidney, testes, and prostate. A major focus is to discover and characterize
prostate cancer associated biomarkers, and use these biomarkers to develop assays to
improve the early detection of prostate cancer, and improve methods to evaluate prognosis
and monitor treatment efficacy. Evaluating and developing novel chemo- and immunotherapy
approaches for prostate cancer is another active research program of the basic science and
translational programs of the VPC. Through the advances made by this program, EVMS has
become internationally recognized as a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate
cancer. Paul F. Schellhammer, M.D., FACS, professor and chairman of Urology, serves as the
Program Director and Medical Director, and George I. Wright Jr., Ph.D., professor and
chairman of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology and professor of Urology is the Scientific Director.
The Virginia Center
for Breast Cancer Awareness is a collaborative research and education program of
the Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology and Department
of Surgery. The program is directed by Christine Laronga, M.D., a surgical oncologist,
assisted by George L. Wright, Jr., Ph.D. and Antonia Vlahou, Ph.D. The Center's
mission is to make the public aware of current diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures for breast cancer. Its current research focus is using proteomics
to identify biomarkers for the early detection/diagnosis of breast cancer,
and to develop novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
The Infectious Disease Program
is a cooperative program of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology and
the Center for Pediatric Research. The
program seeks to better understand disease mechanisms caused by viruses and other microbes.
This program comprises a variety of molecular, immunological, and clinical studies.
The Tissue/Serum Bank contains over 20,000 serum,
urine, other body fluids, and tissue specimens. These specimens support many of the
research programs of the Cancer Biology Research Focal Group, the
Virginia Prostate Center, and the Virginia
Center for Breast Cancer Awareness.
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