Dimitra Bourboulia profile picture
315 464-8712

Dimitra Bourboulia, PhD

3217 Weiskotten Hall
766 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
Dimitra Bourboulia's email address generated as an image

CURRENT APPOINTMENTS

Associate Professor of Urology
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Director of the Office of Research for Medical Students

LANGUAGES

English
Greek

RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND AFFILIATIONS

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biomedical Sciences Program
Urology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Extracellular kinase signaling
  • Extracellular chaperone function 
  • Targeting extracellular signaling networks in urological cancers

ASSOCIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
American Urological Association (AUA)

EDUCATION

Fellowship: National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 2013
Fellowship: University of London, UK, 2007
PhD: University of London, UK, 2004

PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS

National Institutes of Health, 2007-2013
University of London, UK, 1999-2007

RESEARCH ABSTRACT

Tumor cell growth and migration begin with the secretion of proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) followed by an invasion of the tumor vasculature leading to initiation of metastasis. Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) are key components of extracellular proteolysis and regulators of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Identification of ways to inhibit early matrix proteolysis would enhance our ability to target early tumor development and prevent metastatic potential. Studies have suggested that MMP/TIMP balance is shifted towards MMP activation during cancer progression.

Our laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of MMPs and TIMPs regulation in the extracellular space that impact homeostasis and cancer progression. Current areas of research includes: (1) How c-Src mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of TIMP-2 affects extracellular proteolysis, (2) The role of TIMP-2 as a regulator of extracellular protein homeostasis, (3) Targeting extracellular kinase signaling for the development of novel cancer therapies.

PUBLICATIONS

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