Barrett’s esophagus? We’re trying to understand this at the molecular and genetic level.” Until recently, Chen said, his research focused on exploring ways to prevent Barrett’s esophagus from developing into cancer. “Now my work has shifted toward finding ways to prevent Barrett’s in the first place. Can we modify lifestyle? Provide health and dietary advice?” Based on previous research, Chen said, it’s clear that Barrett’s results from both genetic and environmental causes. “We have identified several specific genes that we know are involved,” he said. “We know they participate in the process, but how? Is their role major or minor?” Chen and Shaheen’s team will collect esophageal cells from two patient population groups, one white and one black, to make genetic comparisons. And they will administer a questionnaire to learn about matters of environment and diet. Team members from Chapel Hill will do the work of collecting the cells and human data; most of the lab work will be performed by Chen and his associates at BBRI. “We’re the first group in the world to be doing this,” Chen said, “and it’s the partnership that makes it possible. You have to have a strong clinical group and a strong research group.”
Xiaoxin “Luke” Chen, in the lab at BBRI
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Spring 2011