The Huang Lab

The Huang laboratory is interested in the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia-induced tumor progression. Hypoxia—deficiency in oxygen supply—is tightly associated with tumorigenesis, as well as with cerebral and myocardial ischemia. When challenged by low oxygen tension, cells strive for oxygen homeostasis by activating hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis. Activated HIF-1α not only attempts to maintain intracellular energy production by inducing angiogenesis and glycolysis, but also limits energy consumption by means of inhibiting cell proliferation and DNA repair.1 Our research objectives are to identify novel pathways regulating HIF-1α activity, to elucidate the role of HIF-1α in tumor development, and to identify the molecular basis for therapeutic alteration of HIF-1α activity.