Dr. Michael Shen Ph.D. 1988, Cambridge University and Postdoctoral Fellowship 1988-1994, Harvard University, during the past twenty-three years, has investigated the molecular mechanisms of mammalian development and cancer using in vivo analyses of genetically-engineered mouse models. Dr. Shen is appointed Professor of Medical Sciences (in Medicine) Professor of Genetics & Development and Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Genetics & Development and Co-Leader, Genitourinary Cancer Program, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.
His laboratory investigates the regulation of pattern formation and organogenesis during vertebrate development, and how these processes are disrupted in cancer initiation and progression. These studies primarily utilize experimental approaches involving genetically-engineered mice, but also employ cell culture and biochemical approaches to investigate molecular mechanisms.
In earlier studies at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, he focused on functional analyses of the signaling pathway for the TGFb ligand Nodal, and elucidation of the multiple mechanisms of its regulation during mouse embryogenesis.
Since moving to Columbia University Medical School in 2007, his studies have expanded significantly to encompass analyses of prostate epithelial progenitor cells and their roles in organogenesis and tissue regeneration, focusing on the role of the Nkx3.1 transcriptional regulator as well as analysis of cell types of origin for prostate cancer. These studies have led to the identification of a luminal epithelial stem cell as well as support for a luminal cell of origin for prostate cancer, and most recently to the establishment of a prostate organoid culture system.
Recent work in the laboratory has also incorporated bioinformatic and computational systems approaches in several projects ranging from analyses of extraembryonic endoderm stem cell differentiation to studies of the cell of origin for prostate cancer. Ongoing projects in the laboratory include systems analyses of embryonic stem cell pluripotency and prostate cancer progression, investigation of mechanisms of prostate epithelial lineage specification and cell-type differentiation, and generation of organoid models of prostate and bladder cancer.