Alan Wells, MD, DMSc

The Wells Laboratory research program is integrating the knowledge gained from our biochemical and biophysical mechanistic studies into our investigations concerning conditions of dysregulated (tumor dissemination) and orchestrated (wound healing and organogenesis) cellular phenotypic plasticity. As part of understanding the tissue biology, we are investigating both how integrated cell responses are selected from among others and the metabolic consequences thereof.  The two central foci are tumor progression and wound repair.  In tumor progression, we examine breast and prostate carcinoma and melanoma invasion and metastases in terms of molecular signals and the special micro-environments. For this, the laboratory uses human tissues, animal models, and unique all human 4-dimensional liver, skin, and gut microtissues. In would repair, the current model system is skin wound healing, in which the communications between the epidermis, dermis, and blood vessels is parsed at the molecular levels. The role of stem cells in the natural repair process and as a rationale therapeutic is also being investigated. These two areas are re-inforcing as many of the key molecules and cellular processes are part of the generalizable onco-fetal-wound program.