Division of Reproductive Biology Research
J. Julie Kim Laboratory
Telephone: (312) 503-4762
Fax: (312) 503-0095
Endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in the United States with an estimated 40,100 new cases and about 7,500 deaths in 2008. As risk factors for endometrial cancer increase, the incidence of this disease will also rise, with a paradigm shift to younger ages. In our laboratory, we investigate the role of progesterone receptor in endometrial cancer to understand why progestin therapy is not an effective treatment in all cases of endometrial cancer.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disorder affecting up to 10% of the female population and 30-50% of infertile women, with no cure and limited therapies. It is often associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. This disease has also been referred to as a “progesterone resistant” disease since the ectopic and eutopic tissues do not respond to progesterone as it does in normal endometrial tissues. Our laboratory is investigating progesterone resistance in endometriosis and identifying specific biological targets for the future development of alternative therapies.
Leiomyoma
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are benign tumors originating from the myometrium. These tumors can range from a few millimeters to over 20 cm in size. Leiomyomas are common and can occur in up to 77% of women while up to 20% of women suffer from significant morbidity, pain and discomfort, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Leiomyomas are the primary indication for over 200,000 hysterectomies in the United States. In our laboratory we are investigating how progesterone promotes growth of leiomyomas by focusing on the non-genomic signaling of progesterone on the PI3K/AKT pathway. These studies are translated to the identification of important signaling molecules that can be targeted using small molecule inhibitors.
Current lab members
| Zhenxiao Lu, BS Senior Research Technologist Zhenxiao has a bachelor's degree in biology. She worked in China, Japan, and Canada before joining the laboratory in 2005. Zhen is involved in all projects and is the Senior Technologist of the laboratory. |
| Elizabeth (Beth) Sefton, BS IGP student,class of 2007 Beth joined the Kim Lab in June 2008. Beth received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Tampa in 2007. Her project examines progesterone as an activator of the PI3K/AKT pathway in leiomyoma cells. She is originally from Northern Virginia. Beth enjoys baking, reading, and vacations to the beach. |
| Xunqin (Elizabeth) Yin, MD, Ph.D Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Yin joined in Dr. Kim’s laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow in October 2009. She earned her MD degree in Qiqihar Medical University and completed her residency training specialized in general OB/GYN. She received her Ph.D degree in 1998 at Howard University and worked as a postdoc at Children’s Memorial Research Center of Northwestern University. Currently, her project is focused on the investigation of mechanisms of progesterone resistance in endometriosis. |
| Alok Pant, MD Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Alok began his fellowship in July 2010. He completed his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College. He attended medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago followed by a residency in OB/GYN at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is investigating the influence of the PI3K/AKT pathway on progesterone receptor function in endometrial cancer. |
| Jennifer Eaton, MD Reproductive Endocrinology Fellow Jennifer began her fellowship in July 2010. She completed her undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and OB/GYN residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying progesterone resistance in endometriosis. |
| Irene Lee, BS IGP student Irene received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Michigan in 2007. After graduation, she worked for 2 years as a research associate at Cayman Chemical. Her project is focused on examining how the Progesterone Receptor regulates the expression of Birc3, an anti-apoptotic gene, in endometrial cancer. |
303 E. Superior St., 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60611 | Division Telephone: (312) 503-1600 | Fax: (312) 503-0095
