Novel Models and Biorepository For Early Detection And Therapeutic Intervention Of Pancreatic Cancer

I am a Research Manager in Dr. Surinder Batra’s lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Dr. Batra’s laboratory is engaged in basic and translational research in pancreatic cancer and uses several genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) to study molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic modalities. My expertise is in providing unique resources to Drs. Hollingsworth, Jain, Ouellette, Ponnusamy, Singh, and others research on pancreatic cancer (PC). I am also the Comparative Medicine designated Laboratory Animal Coordinator for supervising Batra Lab’s animal research. My role has been critical in developing all the GEMMs for PC. Dr. Batra has been working on pancreatic cancer to study the role of mucin (MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC16) and non-mucin genes (C1GALT1, PD2, CXCR2, NCOA3, and NGAL) in disease pathobiology and evaluating their utility for early detection and therapy. Specifically, Dr. Batra’s laboratory is funded to investigate the molecular mechanism of pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis, evaluate biomarkers, and test therapeutic agents. This R50 award will support my efforts towards four significant aspects of Dr. Batra’s research program, funded by P01, two U01s, and several R01 Awards from NCI. These projects are focused on: a) understanding MUC16 mucin-mediated molecular mechanisms for pancreatic cancer metastasis; b) investigating the role of truncated O-glycans on cancer-associated glycoproteins (membrane-tethered mucins and stemness markers); c) develop and evaluate MUC4- targeted near-infrared (NIR) probes for optical surgical navigation of PC; d) validation of biomarkers for risk prediction and early diagnosis of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma; e) examining mucin-based biomarkers to improve early cancer detection. I am involved in various aspects of the Unit Director’s research program, including 1) animal model development, 2) experimental therapeutics, and 3) biomarker research. I have been deeply involved in optimizing the production of in-house generated therapeutic antibodies using advanced mammalian expression systems and bioreactors (compatible with GMP scale antibody generations) and assessing their efficacy in pancreatic tumor xenografts. My major focus has also been developing and maintaining KC and KPC GEMMs of PC and further engineering these lines for the overexpression/knockout with project-specific genes (MUC4 and MUC16). My biomarker research involvement includes assays and reagent development, biospecimen processing archiving and distribution, and data coordination. I have spearheaded efforts to employ innovative approaches for experimental therapeutics (organoid models, Live cell imaging, antibody efficacy) and biomarker research (Digital Droplet PCR and Multiplex assays). My continued involvement in PC research under the Unit Director’s supervision can lead to novel diagnostics approaches and develop innovative antibody modalities for PC treatment. Project Number: 1R50CA305093-01 | Fiscal Year: 2025 | NIH Institute/Center: National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Principal Investigator: Kavita Mallya | Institution: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER, OMAHA, NE | Award Amount: $97,305 | Activity Code: R50 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZCA1 SRB-1 (M1)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11224860