Carlton R. Cooper, Ph.D.

UD - Biological Sciences

Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Delaware
203 Wolf Hall
Newark DE 19716-2590

Phone: (302) 831-6062
FAX: (302) 831-2281
E-Mail: crcooper@udel.edu
Web Site: http://www.udel.edu/bio/people/faculty/ccooper.html

Education
Ph.D., Microbiology/Virology, Mississippi State University, 1998
M.S., Cell Biology, Clark Atlanta University, 1992
B.S., Biology, Morehouse College, 1989

Research Interests:
It is the preference of prostate cancer to spread (metastasize) to bone causing symptoms such as intense pain, bone fractures, and/or spinal cord compression. The molecular mechanisms for this metastatic pattern of advanced prostate cancer are not known and are under intense investigation. In order to metastasize to a particular organ, a cancer cell must first adhere to the endothelial cells lining the blood vessel (microvessel) that feeds the organ. Endothelial cells, derived from a specific organ’s microvessel, are distinct in their expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Previous studies have shown that prostate cancer cells adhered preferentially to human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBME) when compared to other endothelial cell types in vitro. This observation suggests that prostate cancer metastasis to bone is mediated partially by the preferential adhesion to HBME cells in the bone marrow.

The objective of my research is to identify the CAMs expressed on HBME cells inclusive of the respective ligands or counter-receptors found on prostate cancer cells that are involved in prostate cancer cell-HBME interaction. Once the CAM-ligand complex(es) responsible for prostate cancer cell adhesion to HBME cells is/are identified, the effect of bone-stromal factors on the expression of HBME-specific CAMs and prostate cancer- corresponding ligands will be examined. It is interesting to note that the activation of CAMs on prostate cancer cells by extracellular matrix components may contribute to the Akt (a kinase) activation of survival pathways and may allow the cancer cells to resist cytotoxic and hormonal therapies.

RECENT PRESS

Achieving great things.

2010 DHSA Research Conference Coverage
May 5, 2010--More than 275 people from the health sciences research and education community turned out for the 2010 Delaware Health Sciences Alliance Conference on Tuesday, May 4, to share research and explore issues in health care.

UD and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital to partner on bone disorder study
April 15, 2010--In search of a new treatment for the debilitating disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a team of researchers from the University of Delaware and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is initiating a two-year study exploring the use of an FDA-approved vibration platform in children with OI.

Delaware Health Sciences Alliance awards two pilot projects
April 1, 2010--Two pilot projects funded by the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) under its second competition focus on identifying cutting-edge cancer therapies, and creating the bioinformatics framework that will facilitate translational research among the alliance members.

Transforming the Region's Healthcare
March, 2010--An article in the March edition of Select Greater Philadelphia's "Momentum" discusses how the DSHA is drawing on the collective resources of its partner members - including the health sciences campus to be developed by the University of Delaware at the former Chrysler site - to revolutionize healthcare research and education in the region.

National experts to speak at Delaware Health Sciences Alliance research conference
Tuesday, February 18, 2010--The Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) will host its second annual research conference on May 4 at Christiana Care Health System's John H. Ammon Medical Education Center on the Christiana Hospital Campus.

UD health sciences dean to lead partnership programs
December 14, 2009--Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware, has been appointed to leadership positions in two partnership programs that she sees as key to promoting health research and education in Delaware.

Older adults with cancer, caregivers focus of $600,000 research grant
Dec. 11, 2009--A team that includes two researchers from the University of Delaware's School of Nursing -- Paula Klemm, professor of nursing, and Veronica Rempusheski, the Jeanne K. Buxbaum Chair of Nursing Science -- has been awarded a two-year, $600,000 grant to conduct research aimed at supporting older adults affected by cancer and their caregivers in Delaware.

DHSA takes center stage at UD Trustees meeting
December 9, 2009--The University of Delaware's Board of Trustees got a firsthand look at the largest single property acquisition in the history of the institution during its semiannual meeting, held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the former Chrysler assembly plant on South College Avenue in Newark.

Christiana Care's Dr. Petrelli to share cancer success story at national surgeons' conference
November 11, 2009--Christiana Care's pioneering role in significantly reducing Delaware's cancer rate will be in the national spotlight at a prestigious medical conference.