Primarily, we study the molecular characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders with ongoing studies in three areas: Firstly, we focus on the clinicopathologic characteristics and pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development and tumor progression of AIDS-associated lymphoma. We analyze the pathogenetic relationship between the clonal B-cell populations present in benign lymphoid hyperplasias and the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and identification of proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor gene alterations.

Secondly, we characterize the lineage, clonality, proto-oncogene, and tumor suppressor gene alterations and chromosomal abnormalities of Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin disease and CD30 anaplastic large cell lymphoma, using Southern blot, PCR, in-situ PCR, and FISH analyses.

Thirdly, we identify new molecular genetic lesions leading to the transformation of low- to high-grade lymphoma using comparative genomic hybridization and/or representational difference analysis.