Dr. Ezekiel’s laboratory is focused on understanding the fundamental processes, such as cell growth, metastasis, epigenetics, and signaling mechanisms, that distinguish normal from cancer cells. The major avenues of research are identification of anti-cancer activities of phytochemicals when used singly or in combination. The focus areas of research include (i) inhibition of chemoresistant metastatic cancer cells (ii) elicitation of anticancer activity by the modulation of epigenetic pathways (e.g., expression of microRNA activities, promoter methylation and histone modifications) and (iii) reversal or suppression of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) thereby inhibiting metastasis by modulating epigenetic pathways. Another area of research in Dr. Ezekiel’s laboratory is developing disease models using induced pluripotent cells (iPSC). His laboratory has gained significant expertise in reprogramming somatic cells into iPSC, which possess unique properties of self-renewal and differentiation into many cell lineages. Currently, the laboratory is focused on deriving iPSC from patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. The iPSC lines are being differentiated into neurons for developing disease models and understanding underlying defects that cause pathogenesis.
