Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Innovation: Dr. Keith Miskimins Discusses Cancer Research In His Lab

Dr. Keith Miskimins – Senior Scientist and Director of the Cancer Biology Research Center at Sanford Research.  His lab is currently looking at the Translation control of tumor suppressor protein p27Kip1 in normal and cancer cells.  p27 is an inhibitor of cell cycle progression that is commonly down regulated in cancer cells. Low levels of p27Kip1 expression are correlated with poor prognosis for many types of cancer.  The Miskimins Lab has discovered a novel mechanism of translational control that may govern synthesis of this protein.  Another research interest is tumor cell metabolism.  Cancer cells undergo a process called metabolic reprogramming that allows them to survive and proliferate under conditions that are detrimental to normal cells. It may be possible to specifically target cancer cells and inhibit growth.

Cara Hetland is the Director of Radio and Journalism Content for South Dakota Public Broadcasting.