Charly Campanella

I am a third year Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD student in Dr. Christopher Clarke's lab. My research focuses on investigating the roles and mechanisms of dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DES1), a key ceramide generating enzyme, in promoting anchorage independent survival (AIS) in breast cancer. To explore this further, we decided to investigate a specific downstream target, Bcl-2-like protein 11 (BIM), due to its role in intrinsic apoptosis, its connections to the mitochondria, and its functions in AIS. With my clinical co-mentor, Dr. Alison Stopeck, we will explore the downstream mechanisms of DES1 with IHC staining of patient tumor samples. In addition to staining, we will evaluate cell viability, protein expression, lipid pools, and more with breast cancer cells treated with a knockdown or knockout of DES1 on various organ matrices. Our goal is to provide new insight into the functions of DES1 in AIS and to demonstrate the potential of DES1 as a viable target for metastatic breast cancer. .

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Christopher Clarke
Clinical Mentor: Dr. Alison Stopeck