Pinku Mukherjee

The transmembrane glycoprotein Mucin 1 (MUC1) is aberrantly glycosylated and over-expressed in a variety of adenocarcinomas of the breast, pancreatic, lung, colon, stomach, endometrium, and ovarian. Tumor associated MUC1 plays a crucial role in progression of cancer by influencing cellular growth, transformation, adhesion, invasion, and immune surveillance. Tumor-associated MUC1 differs from the MUC1 expressed in normal cells with regard to its biochemical features, cellular distribution, and function. In cancer cells, MUC1 participates in intracellular signal transduction pathways and regulates the expression of its target genes at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Our Lab studies the functional differences that exist between normal and tumor-associated MUC1 using genomics and proteomics tools. Major focus is assessing tumor associated MUC1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer.

Our lab is honored to recognize our benefactors for their commitment to strengthen cancer research at UNCC for the coming generations. Dr. Mukherjee is the Irwin Belk Endowed Professor of Cancer Research. Research has been and continues to be funded through extramural grants from National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network/American Association of Cancer Research.