John Hopkins researcher Dr Saraswati Sukumar gives an insight into her work on breast cancer
Dr Saraswati Sukumar contributes to the fight against cancer.
Focusing on breast cancer, Dr Saraswati Sukumar’s research aims to save patients the difficulties related to treatment and improve the ability to assess therapies. Furthering early detection, also in developing countries, will pave the way to advancing and applying the right treatment. Sukumar and her team are taking advantage of newly discovered molecular alterations in breast cancer.
In this short interview, the John Hopkins Medicine researcher describes the progress of her research, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Three questions to Sara Sukumar
The Sukumar laboratory is to obtain a molecular profile of breast cancer and to apply this knowledge to the early detection, diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer.
What are the big issues in your research area?
In the area of breast cancer, reliable assays for early detection, overcoming drug resistance, and developing prevention strategies are the big issues.
What do you think are your most significant research accomplishments?
My research has led to the understanding of HOX gene function in development and progression breast cancer in which detailed microscopy for IHC, FISH play a big part. The precision of ZEISS equipment has been essential. Together with my team, I have identified and applied methylated gene markers in blood and tissue for early detection of breast cancer.
If you had unlimited resources, what would you do with them?
The main goal of my research is to set up screening clinics throughout the developing world for timely diagnosis and treatment of women with breast cancer using automated technology for detecting and testing the lesion on the spot.
What is your research vision? Share with us in the comments!