Peter Siegel, PhD

Research focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of breast cancer cells to spread or "metastasize" to bone and soft tissues. He employs in vivo models for the selection of highly metastatic tumor cell populations which are then subjected to gene expression profiling to identify genes that are associated with the metastatic phenotype. Dr. Siegal is also interested in defining the importance of processes that control epithelial plasticity (epithelial to mesenchymal transitions) and the molecular mediators that contribute to the ability of cancer cells to become locally invasive and that promote breast cancer metastasis. He will employ in vivo imaging methods to track EMT in mice and to facilitate the isolation of breast cancer cells at different stages of the metastatic cascade.