Department: Pathology

Dr. Allison’s clinical expertise is in breast pathology. Her research interests include how standards should be applied to breast cancer diagnostics (such as HER2 testing), the utility of molecular panel-based testing in breast cancer, and identifying the most appropriate management of specific pathologic diagnoses. She is also the author of “Red Sunshine”, a memoir about her personal experience with breast cancer, a topic which she speaks about to both patient and health care audiences.

I study molecular genetic and immunophenotypic changes in human hematopoietic neoplasms. These include acute and chronic leukemias, lymphoma, and splenic tumors.

I am interested in optimizing the process of diagnosing leukemias, lymphomas and other hematolymphoid neoplasms, particularly by the use of diagnostic flow cytometry. One goal is to develop flow data analysis processes that function as interactive tools, allowing pathologists to query rich diagnostic data sets in real time.

Genetic and cell biological analyses of signals controlling cell polarity and morphogenesis. Frizzled signaling and cytoskeletal organization.

Development and implementation of rapid diagnostic assays for the detection, identification, and susceptibility testing of clinically important mycobacteria. Understanding the role of M. tuberculosis lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

In the Microbiology laboratory, we evaluate cutting-edge new technology for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases, and we work with high-tech companies to help them develop new diagnostic assays at the pre-market stage. We do not perform basic research and we do not have any fellowship support.

Cardiopulmonary and pulmonary transplant medicine; diagnostic surgical pathology

Immunobiology of breast cancer.

Our lab uses chemical, biochemical, and cell biological methods to study protease function in human disease. Projects include: 1) Design and synthesis of novel chemical probes for each of the primary protease families. 2) Understanding the role of proteolysis in the life cycle of the human parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. 3) Defining the specific functional roles of proteases during the process of tumorogenesis. 4) In vivo imaging of protease activity

Research interests: ocular pathology, host-pathogen interactions in infectious disease, infectious disease in frogs, phenotypic characterization of tg and ko mice, histopathology of minimally-invasive radiological ablation techniques (focused ultrasound, cryoablation).

My current research involves the investigation of immunoassay interferences from blood collection tube additives; particularly, silicone surfactants.

The lymphocytes of the human immune system share some biological properties with human cancers: in each case, there are subpopulations of cells whose genomes are rearranged and mutated compared to other cells in the body. Our goal is to understand the genotype-phenotype relationships in lymphoid cells that determine the behavior of human diseases. We apply new analytical methods, particularly high-throughput DNA sequencing, in parallel with functional assays, to tackle this challenge.

Our interests include: 1) The physiology and significance of lymphocyte homing in local and systemic immunity; 2) biochemical and genetic studies of molecules that direct leukocyte recruitment; 3) cellular and molecular genetic studies of leukocyte chemotaxis and the role of chemokines; 4) vascular differentiation in normal and pathologic inflammatory states; 5) systems and chemical biology approaches to understanding the regulation of lymphocyte trafficking programs.

The use of molecular and molecular cytogenetic methods to identify chromosomal abnormalities in acquired and congenital disorders.

The role of oncoproteins in cancer and development; molecular and cellular biology of hematologic malignancies; targeted molecular therapies of cancer.

My research interests are vascular biology and cardiovascular pathology. We are currently working on gene expression in endothelial cells at sites of pathology.

As medical director of the Hematology Laboratory, my main focus is service work, including laboratory administration, bone marrow pathology, and flow cytometry interpretation. Publications arise primarily from development or evaluation of laboratory methods or collections of unusual patient cases.

screening and diagnosis of patients with inborn errors of metabolism, including newborn screening, development of new testing methods and genotype/phenotype correlations.

Chromatin regulation and its roles in human cancer and the development of the nervous system. Engineering new methods for studying and controlling chromatin in living cells.

Our Neuromuscular Division coordinates a comprehensive effort to conquer peripheral nerve and muscle disorders, including the muscular dystrophies, motor neuron disorders, neuromuscular junction abnormalities, and peripheral neuropathies. With patients and families foremost in mind, we have had success defining and combating these diseases, with research focused on identifying genetic causes, developing novel treatment, and maximizing patient function by optimizing current management.

Ocular pathology of shaken baby syndrome

Astrocytes make up a substantial proportion of the central nervous system (CNS) and participate in a variety of important physiologic and pathologic processes. They are characterized by vigorous response to diverse neurologic insults.

Dendritic cells, NK cells and T cells; functional proteins and genes; immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer and autoimmune disease.

Radiation injury in mammalian tissues. Mechanisms of cerebral malaria. Effects of cytokines on angiogenesis.

My laboratory investigates how oncogenes initiate and sustain tumorigenesis. I have developed model systems whereby I can conditionally activate oncogenes in normal human and mouse cells in tissue culture or in specific tissues of transgenic mice. In particular using the tetracycline regulatory system, I have generated a conditional model system for MYC-induced tumors. I have shown that cancers caused by the conditional over-expression of the MYC proto-oncogene regress with its inactivation.