Dr. Tran and his laboratory have been continuously funded by the federal government (NIH and DoD) and foundations for over a decade to study tumor cell epithelial plasticity programs such as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the implications these programs have on tumorigenesis, metastasis, metabolism, cancer treatment resistance and radiation-induced fibrosis.  Our research utilizes a variety of transgenic mouse models, non-invasive imaging as well as traditional molecular, biochemical and cell biology approaches.

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Another major focus of the laboratory is the use of inducible mouse models to simulate molecularly targeted therapies for malignancies and radiation-induced late effects. 

 

The laboratory also studies novel targeted agents as tumor selective radiosensitizers to increase the therapeutic ratio of clinical radiotherapy.