Dr. Xiang Xue’s lab at the University of New Mexico focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). His research integrates cell line and enteroid cultures, mouse models, patient tissues, and a wide array of molecular and biochemical methodologies to uncover critical pathways that drive disease progression.
This fellowship will provide hands-on training and theoretical insights into key research areas, including:
- The Role of Micronutrients in Cancer Cell Growth – How essential nutrients regulate tumor progression.
- Mitochondrial Metabolism and Cancer – The impact of metabolic reprogramming on tumor survival.
- Stress-Activated Pathways in Cancer Metabolism – Understanding cellular stress responses in tumor growth.
- Hypoxia Signaling in Intestinal Inflammation and CRC – The influence of HIF pathways on disease progression.
- Nutrient Homeostasis, Inflammation, and Cancer – How metabolic imbalance links to chronic inflammation and cancer initiation.
Participants will gain expertise in iron metabolism, hypoxia biology, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, using state-of-the-art techniques such as organoid culture, metabolomics, CRISPR gene editing, and advanced imaging to explore novel therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal diseases.
Iron Metabolism & Nutrient Regulation in CRC & IBD
- How iron homeostasis, micronutrients, and metabolic pathways drive cancer progression and inflammation.
- Role of DMT1, hepcidin, and transferrin receptor in colon tumorigenesis.
- Link between nutrient metabolism and immune response in IBD.
Hypoxia & Inflammatory Signaling in CRC & IBD
- Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIF-1α, HIF-2α) in gut inflammation and tumor growth.
- How oxygen deprivation in the gut microenvironment affects IBD severity and CRC progression.
- Targeting hypoxia pathways for therapeutic interventions in gastrointestinal diseases.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction & Oxidative Stress in CRC & IBD
- How mitochondrial stress and mitophagy (PINK1, Sestrin2) regulate tumorigenesis.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) & inflammation in CRC and IBD.
- Exploring mitochondrial-targeted therapies for colorectal cancer treatment.
Immune System & Microbiome in CRC & IBD
- Role of immune cells (T-cells, macrophages, neutrophils) and cytokines in colitis and cancer progression.
- Influence of gut microbiome dysbiosis on CRC and IBD pathogenesis.
- Using immune modulation & microbiome-based therapies for disease management.
Translational Research & Therapeutic Strategies
- Developing targeted therapies against iron metabolism and hypoxia pathways.
- Role of drug screening and repurposing in CRC & IBD treatment.
- Application of organoid models & patient-derived tissues for personalized medicine.