Ph.D., University of Toronto, 2006 Postdoctoral Fellow, Burnham Institue, 2006-2010 Staff Scientist, Burnham Institute, 2010-2013

Our research is focused on mechanisms of signaling transduction and transcriptional regulation by ubiquitin ligase and histone demethylase in prostate cancer. We use a variety of approaches including genetic mouse models, traditional cell biology and biochemical techniques to establish the importance of ubiquitin ligase Siah2 and histone demethylase JMJD1A in the development, progression and therapeutic resistance of prostate cancer. The significance of our findings in cell culture and mouse models is routinely verified by analyzing tissue samples from patients with prostate cancer. We hope these basic research will allow us to design better approaches for treatment of advanced prostate cancer in the future.

Qi, J., Kim, H., Scortegagna, M., and Ronai, Z. (2013). Regulators and effectors of Siah ubiquitin ligases. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics. 67, 15-24.

Qi, J., Tripathi, M., Mishra, R., Sahgal, N., Fazil, L., Ettinger, S., Placzek, W.J., Claps, G., Chung, L.W., Bowtell, D., Gleave, M., Bhowmick, N., and Ronai, Z. (2013). The E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2 contributes to castration-resistant prostate cancers by regulation of androgen receptor activity. Cancer Cell. 23, 332-346.

Qi, J. (2012). Therapy resistance by splicing: Can the androgen receptor teach us about BRAF? Pigment Cell Melanoma Research. 25, 293-2944.

Qi, J., Nakayama, K., Cardiff, R.D., Borowsky, A.D., Williams, R., Krajewski, S., Carpenter, P., Mercola, D., Bowtell, D. and Ronai, Z. (2010). Concerted activity of HIF and FoxA2 regulates formation of neuroendocrine prostate tumors and neuroendocrine phenotype of human metastatic prostate cancers. Cancer Cell 18, 23-38.

Qi, J., Pellecchia, M., and Ronai, Z. (2010). The Siah2-HIF-FoxA2 axis in prostate cancer - new markers and therapeutic opportunities. Oncotarget 1, 379-385.

Qi, J., Nakayama, K., Gaitonde, S., Goydos, J. S., Krajewski, S., Eroshkin, A., Bar-Sagi, D., Bowtell, D., and Ronai, Z. (2008). The ubiquitin ligase Siah2 regulates tumorigenesis and metastasis by HIF-dependent and -independent pathways. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U S A 105, 16713-16718.

Qi, J., Wang, J., Romanyuk, O., and Siu, C.-H. (2006). Involvement of Src family kinases in N-cadherin phosphorylation and ß-catenin dissociation during transendothelial migration of melanoma cells. Molecular Biology of the Cell 17, 1261-1272.

Qi, J., Chen, N., Wang, J., and Siu, C.-H. (2005). Transendothelial migration of melanoma cells involves N-cadherin-mediated adhesion and activation of the ß-catenin signaling pathway. Molecular Biology of the Cell 16, 4386-4397.