Ruoxiang Wang, MD, MSc, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Molecular Urology and Therapeutics Program, Department of Urology
Emory University

Research Interests

The main interest of my research is in determining the function of genes in human urogenital system. Following isolation of genes, we carry out a series of experiments to elucidate their function in, for example, the prostate, with a special attention to the regulated expression. Understanding the regulation may lead to development of medicines that control the expression of these genes in a clinical setting.

One of our research projects is isolation of novel genes that are specifically expressed in prostate. We have, for example, isolated a previously unrecognized gene and found that it is prostate specific. In addition, its expression is enhanced in prostate cancer cells. Characterization of prostate specific genes may provide markers for detection of prostate cancer.

In another project, We have examined the expression of all the cytokines and their receptors in prostate cancer cells. This work led to the definition of a fraction of human cytokines and the associated receptors that are highly expressed in prostate cancers. Since cytokines function as mediators in prostate cancer-bone stromal interaction, identification of these cytokines may provide additional approaches to the treatment of prostate cancer metastasis to the bone.

Prostate cancer could be the result of abnormalities in the mechanism controlling programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. Using the similar technique, I have also performed molecular characterization of apoptosis-related genes in prostate cancer. This enabled us to identify a panel of apoptosis-related genes and cell survival-related genes that are expressed in prostate cancer. These genes will be further examined for their involvement in the progression of prostate cancer.

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