Basic Science Researcher

Shanaz Dairkee, PhD

Introduction  |  Publications

Introduction

Pioneering new cellular models to understand critical events in the progression of breast cancer

To further understand early stages in tumor formation, the Dairkee lab developed new, specialized techniques for studying non-aggressive localized tumors, and generated a unique repository of cryopreserved clinical breast cancer samples maintained in a living, interactive state. Dr. Dairkee and her colleagues created a portfolio of primary breast cancer cell lines encompassing all histologic grades and clinical stages, for more precise definitions and understanding of breast cancer subtypes.

Using these models, Dr. Dairkee is investigating genetic signatures and cell-cell signaling differences associated with cancer aggressiveness, and signatures of paracrine-independent expression of grade-associated genes. She and her team are devising new techniques to employ live tumor cells in patient samples and predict response to breast cancer therapy.

Aside from working directly with tumor cells, research in the Dairkee lab employs non-malignant cells from human donors to understand how environmental chemicals may be implicated in breast carcinogenesis (including the effects of estrogenic mimics in promoting hallmark, cancer-like cellular behaviors).

Training:
Dr. Dairkee received her Ph.D. in Human Genetics and Development from Columbia University and completed postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. She pursued the development of novel research methodologies and tools to study human tumor biology at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before joining CPMCRI.
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Publications

Publications by Shanaz DairkeeOpens new window from PubMed.

Recent Publications

1. Sayeed A, Meng Z, Luciani G, Chen L, Bennington JL, Dairkee SH. Negative regulation of UCP2 by TGF beta signaling characterizes low and intermediate grade primary breast cancer. Cell Death and Disease, 1: e53, 2010
2. Dairkee SH, Sayeed A, Luciani G, Champion S, Meng Z, Jakkula LR, Feiler HS, Gray JW, Moore DH. Immutable functional attributes of histologic grade revealed by context independent gene expression in primary breast cancer cells. Cancer Research, 69: 7826-7834, 2009
3. Dairkee SH, Seok J, Champion S, Sayeed A, Mindrinos M, Xiao W, Davis RW, Goodson WH. Bisphenol A induces a profile of tumor aggressiveness in high-risk cells from breast cancer patients. Cancer Research (Priority Report) 2008 Apr 1; 68(7): 2076-80
4. Dairkee SH, Nicolau M, Sayeed A, Champion S, Ji Y, Moore DH, Yong B, Meng Z, Jeffrey SS. Oxidative stress pathways highlighted in tumor cell immortalization: association with breast cancer outcome. Oncogene. 2007 Sep 20; 26(43): 6269-79. Epub 2007 Apr 30
5. Chin K, DeVries S, Fridlyand J, Spellman PT, Roydasgupta R, Kuo WL, Lapuk A, Neve RM, Qian Z, Ryder T, Chen F, Feiler H, Tokuyasu T, Kingsley C, Dairkee S et al. Genomic and transcriptional aberrations linked to breast cancer pathophysiologies. Cancer Cell. 2006 Dec; 10(6): 529-41

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