Grant Program: New Investigator Program

The incidence of obesity has rapidly increased in Wisconsin and across the United States, and more than 65 percent of adults are overweight. Obese individuals are at increased risk for severe diseases including obesity-induced type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. Previous research has shown that low levels of ALAS1, an enzyme involved in heme biosynthesis, correlates with high body mass index (BMI) and higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For this project, researchers hypothesize that ALAS1, an enzyme involved in heme biosynthesis, may function as a metabolic sink to control the breakdown of amino acids in brown fat tissue. Successful completion of this project will allow researchers to better understand the role Alas1 plays in energy expenditure as it relates to obesity.

Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most prevalent subtype of breast cancer diagnosed across the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. Importantly, more than 25% of ER+ cancers recur at distant sites, or metastasize, even 20 years after initial diagnosis. This makes ER+ breast cancer the primary cause of breast cancer related deaths in Wisconsin women. The primary goal of this project is to investigate how factors of the tumor microenvironment, such as collagen stiffness and fiber alignment regulate the spread of canter cells and promote dormancy. By better understanding ER+ breast cancer recurrence, this project has the potential to improve breast cancer treatment and help reduce future recurrences for patients with ER+ breast cancer.