Grants and Contracts per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
My research is focused on aspects of gene regulation in the liver during development and disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. HCC is increasing dramatically in the United States, where it is projected to be the third leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030. This escalation is due, in part, to the continued rise in obesity-associated Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Much of our research is centered on the relationship between high-fat diet, liver damage and HCC. We employ a variety of biochemical and molecular genetic strategies using in vitro systems, tissue culture cells, and genetically modified mouse models. Several years ago, we discovered a gene that encodes a transcription factor called Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2). Interestingly, we have found that Zhx2 controls the expression of genes that regulate lipid levels. Other studies by my lab and our collaborators suggest that Zhx2 is also involved in HCC. Our research on the role of Zhx2 in fally liver disease and HCC is performed in close collaboration with Drs. Martha Peterson and Jieyun Jiang (Markey Cancer Center, UK) and Roberto Gedaly (Division Chief of Transplant Surgery at UK). We are also collaborating with Jake Lusis (UCLA) and Chunhong Ma (Shandong University, China).
I have also served as Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD program since 2011, which serves as a gateway to the seven biomedical sciences PhD programs in the UK College of Medicine.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Univ Of Pennsylvania
1985
Bachelor of Arts, Univ Of Southampton
1980
Bachelor of Science, Univ Of Southampton
1980
Post Doctoral Fellow, Princeton University
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Network
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University of Kentucky SuRE Resource Center
Spear, B., D'Orazio, S., Fardo, D., Loria Kinsey, A., Murphy, M., Nickell, M., Smalls, B., Stevens-Watkins, D., Stratton, T. & Wolf, B. G.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
9/5/22 → 8/31/27
Project: Research project
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Training in Translational Research in Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (TRIAD)
Van Eldik, L., Cassis, L., Gerhardt, G., Saatman, K., Schoenberg, N., Spear, B., Murphy, M. & Webb, N.
8/1/22 → 7/31/27
Project: Research project
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Childcare Costs: Oh: Training in Translational Research in Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (TRIAD)
Van Eldik, L., Cassis, L., Gerhardt, G., Saatman, K., Schoenberg, N., Spear, B., Murphy, M. & Webb, N.
8/1/22 → 7/31/27
Project: Research project
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Interactive Mentoring to Enhance Research Skills (IMERS)
Frazier, D., D'Orazio, S., Davidshofer, E., Duncan, B., Estus, G., Glueck, A., Grzech, K., Herron, S., Lee, L., Loria Kinsey, A., McCullers, M., Murphy, M., Nickell, M., Park-Sarge, O., Scott, S., Selwitz, A., Stratton, T., Spear, B., Bradley, L., DeRouchey, J., Fondufe-Mittendorf, Y., McConnell, M., Pearson, K., Peterson, M. & Stevens-Watkins, D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
9/1/18 → 8/31/23
Project: Research project
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RORalpha and Hepatic Zonal Regulation
Spear, B., Jiang, J., Peterson, M. & Garcia, E.
National Institute Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney
9/1/07 → 6/30/23
Project: Research project
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Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 is required for diethylnitrosamine-induced liver tumor formation in C57BL/6 mice
Jiang, J., Turpin, C., Qiu, G., Xu, M., Lee, E., Hinds, T. D., Peterson, M. L. & Spear, B. T., Dec 2022, In: Hepatology Communications. 6, 12, p. 3550-3562 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations -
Highly homologous mouse Cyp2a4 and Cyp2a5 genes are differentially expressed in the liver and both express long non-coding antisense RNAs
Nail, A. N., Spear, B. T. & Peterson, M. L., Jan 30 2021, In: Gene. 767, 145162.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Scopus citations -
The prorenin receptor and its soluble form contribute to lipid homeostasis
Gatineau, E., Arthur, G., Poupeau, A., Nichols, K., Spear, B. T., Shelman, N. R., Graf, G. A., Temel, R. E. & Yiannikouris, F. B., Mar 2021, In: American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 320, 3, p. E609-E618Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
8 Scopus citations -
Evolutionary Analysis of the Zinc Finger and Homeoboxes Family of Proteins Identifies Multiple Conserved Domains and a Common Early Chordate Ancestor
Nail, A. N., Smith, J. J., Peterson, M. L., Spear, B. T. & Das, S., Mar 17 2020, In: Genome Biology and Evolution. 12, 3, p. 174-184 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations -
An Underlying Mechanism of Dual Wnt Inhibition and AMPK Activation: Mitochondrial Uncouplers Masquerading as Wnt Inhibitors
Zhang, W., Sviripa, V. M., Kril, L. M., Yu, T., Xie, Y., Hubbard, W. B., Sullivan, P. G., Chen, X., Zhan, C. G., Yang-Hartwich, Y., Evers, B. M., Spear, B. T., Gedaly, R., Watt, D. S. & Liu, C., Dec 26 2019, In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 62, 24, p. 11348-11358 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
12 Scopus citations
Prizes
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Visiting Faculty, Shandong University Medical School
Spear, Brett (Recipient), 2006
Prize: Honorary award
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Visiting Faculty, Shandong University Medical School
Spear, Brett (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Honorary award
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Sturgill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education
Spear, Brett (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Honorary award
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