Dr. Vaslet applies his expertise in molecular pathology to explore genetic alterations in the development of asbestos-induced cancer. He applies the tools of biotechnology to assess the potential toxicity of newly-developed nanomaterials.

MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS OF MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA
Recent development of cDNA microarrays and gene expression profiling has provided a powerful tool for tumor biology. Gene expression profiles of murine malignant mesothelioma cell lines have been generated. Confirmation of genes involved in tumor invasion and metastasis will be achieved by laser capture microdissection and real-time PCR analyses.

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND NANOTOXICOLOGY
This project investigates the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials responsible for toxicity. The effects of shape, size, purity, and surface chemistry are defined by novel synthesis techniques developed by Robert Hurt, Professor Engineering, at Brown University. These mechanistic studies will provide guidance for the manufacturing of nanomaterials with minimal human health impact.

2R01 ES03721-18 Kane (PI), Vaslet (Co-PI) 07/01/1986–04/30/2008
NIH/NIEHS
"Pathogenesis of Mesenchymal Tumors Induced by Asbestos"
The major goal of this grant is to explore the pathogenesis of diffuse malignant mesothelioma produced by asbestos fibers. This project uses genetically-engineered mice and laser capture microdissection coupled with gene expression profiling.

1P42 ES013660-01
SBRP Boekelheide (PI) 4/18/2005-5/31/2009
Project 2 Kane (PI), Vaslet (Co-PI)
"Genotoxic Potential of Mixed Dust Exposures"
The goal of this project is to prepare and characterize model mixed dust samples and to develop a short-term screening strategy to assess their toxicity.

Mulcahy LR, Vaslet CA, Nillni EA. Prohormone-convertase 1 processing enhances post-golgi sorting of prothyrotropin releasing hormone-derived peptides. Journal of Biological Chemistry 280: 39818-39826.

Altomare DA, Vaslet CA, Skele KL, De Rienzo A, Devarajan K, Jhanwar SC, McClatchey AI, Kane AB, Testa JR. A mouse model recapitulating molecular features of human mesothelioma. Cancer Research 65: 8090-8095.

Posner SF, Vaslet CA, Jurofcik M, Lee A, Seidah NG, Nillni EA. Stepwise postranslatiuonal processing of progrowth hormone-releasing hormone (proGHRH) polypeptide by furin and PC1. Endocrine 23: 1-15.

Vaslet CA, Messier NJ, Kane AB. Accelerated progression of asbestos-induced mesotheliomas in heterozygous p53 +/- mice. Toxicological Sciences 2002 68: 331-338.

Nillni EA, Vaslet CA, Harris M, Hollenberg A, Bjorbaek C, Flier JS. Leptin regulates prothyrotropin-releasing hormone biosynthesis: Evidence for direct and indirect pathways. Journal of Biological Chemistry 275:36124-36133.

Gruppuso PA, Boylan JM, Vaslet CA. Identification of candidate growth regulating genes that are over-expressed in late gestation fetal liver in the rat. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 93471:1-6.

Goodglick LA, Vaslet CA, Messier NJ, Kane AB. Growth factor responses and protooncogene expression of murine mesothelial cell lines derived from asbestos-induced mesotheliomas. Toxicologic Pathology 25: 565-573.

Cistulli CA, Sorger T, Marsella JM, Vaslet CA, Kane AB. Spontaneous p53 mutation in murine mesothelial calls: Increased sensitivity to DNA damage induced by asbestos and ionizing radiation. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 141: 264-271,

1977-1978 American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow, University of
Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, Biochemistry

1978-1980 American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow, Brandeis
University, Waltham, Massachusetts, Biochemistry

2000-present Director, Molecular Pathology Core Research Laboratory,
Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island

1987-1989 Founder and VP of Molecular Biology American
Biotechnologies, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts

1986-1988 Assistant Research Scientist, Eye Research Institute,
Boston, Massachusetts

1980-1985 Research Manager/Principal Research Scientist, Genex
Corporation, Gaithersburg, Maryland

I participate as an invited lecturer on biotechnology, recombinant DNA methodology, PCR techniques, and microarrays