Summary of Research Activities:

My research activities are in the area of the cellular and molecular biology of neoplastic transformation and carcinogenesis. There is a basic need to understand the mechanisms behind radiation induced neoplastic transformation. This is so, not only to find possible cures for cancer, but also to identify existing and potential risks to people. The Department of Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University has a history of looking into the mechanisms behind radiation action on molecules, cells, and organisms. My research complements the existing research being done in the department by investigating an endpoint that is directly relevant to carcinogenesis, with implications to human and experimental carcinogenesis.

Pertinent Publications:

Yiding Xing, Robert L. Wells, and M.M. Elkind, Nonisotopic PCR heteroduplex analysis: A rapid, reliable method of detecting minor gene mutations. BioTechniques, 21, 186-187, 1996.

Zhiyuan Shen, Jingmei Liu, Robert L Wells, and M.M. Elkind., cDNA Cloning, Sequence Analysis, and Induction by Aryl Hydrocarbons of a Murine Cytochrome P450 Gene. DNA and Cell Biology. 13, 763-769, 1994.

Wells, R.L., Cao, J., Xing, Y., He, L., and Elkind, M.M., Transformation-sensitive cells in G₂-/M-Phase are not promoted by TPA following ¹³⁷Cs -rays. International Journal of Radiation Biology. 64, 727-730, 1993.

Zhiyuan Shen, Robert L. Wells, Jingmei Liu, and M.M. Elkind. Identification of a new cytochrome P450 gene by reverse transcription PCR using degenerate primers containing inosine. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 90, 11483-11487, 1993.

Cao, J., Wells, R.L., and Elkind, M.M., Enhanced sensitivity to neoplastic transformation by ¹³⁷Cs -rays of cells in the G₂-/M-phase age interval. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 62, 191-199, (1992).

Wells, R.L., Chen, C-C., and Elkind, M.M. -Naphthoflavone abrogates killing and neoplastic transformation of C3H 10T1/2 cells due to 7,12-dimethyl- benz[a]anthracene. Carcinogenesis, 13, 643-649, (1992).

Wells, R.L., Sneider, T.W., and M.M. Elkind. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity assayed in whole-cell lysates using synchronous fluorescence spectrophotometry. Analytical Biochemistry, 198, 355-362, (1991).