Texas Tech University

Lauren Gollahon

Associate Professor
Director, Texas Tech University Imaging Center

Email: lauren.gollahon@ttu.edu

Phone: 1(806)834-3287

Leader, Molecular Bioengineering Research Group Coordinator, Human Anatomy and Physiology Programs

Lab Phone: 1(806)742-1051 

Student Office: 806-742-5073 x252

  • Ph.D., Veterinary Anatomy, Texas A&M University (1990)
  • M.S., Zoology, Texas A&M University (1986)
  • B.A., Marine Biology, Barrington College (1981)
  • Postdoc, Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (1990)
  • Postdoc, Breast Cancer Progression, UT Southwestern Medical Center (1993)
Dr. Gollahon

Web Links:

https://sites.google.com/site/gollahonlab/

Research Interests

The main focus of my lab involves investigating differences in cell specific regulation controlling senescence and immortalization between breast epithelial and stromal cells. We are particularly interested in discerning the differences in the molecular mechanisms that allow epithelial cells to become cancerous 100 times more often than stromal (fibroblast) cells. Current projects include quantitating calcium changes based on cell type and chemotherapies, the role of calcium in determining the mechanism of programmed cell death, estrogen receptor isoform involvement with metastasis and testing candidate anticancer agents. A second focus is determining cell type specific differences in organelle function. More specifically, we are interested in membrane potential changes between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrion. Furthermore, we are beginning to investigate the involvement of obesity and breast cancer development and progression.

Selected Publications

  • Pan Z.and L Gollahon, (2010). Taxol Directly Induces EndoplasmicReticulum-Associated Calcium Changes That Promote Apoptosis in Breast CancerCells. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2010.00988.x_ 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.,1075-122X/10. The Breast Journal. 17(1): 56–70.
  • Gollahon,L.S., Y. Jeong, V.Finckbone, K. Lee, and J-S. Park.  (2011).The Natural Product, NI-07, Is Effective Against Breast Cancer Cells While Showing No Cytotoxicity to Normal Cells. The Open Breast Cancer Journal. 3:31- 44. DOI:10.2174/1876817201103010031.
  • Lee, J and LS Gollahon. (2013).  Nek2-targeted ASO or siRNA pretreatment enhances anticancer drug sensitivity in triple‑negative breast cancer cells. Int. J. Oncol. 42:839-847. 
  • Pan, Z.and L. Gollahon. (2013). Paclitaxel attenuates Bcl-2 resistance to apoptosis in breast cancer cells through an endoplasmic reticulum-mediated calcium release in a dosage dependent manner. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 432(3):431–437.
  • Lee, J and LS Gollahon. (2013).Mitotic perturbations induced by Nek2 overexpression require interaction withTRF1 in breast cancer cells. Cell Cycle. 12(23): 1-16.http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cc.26589.  (Cover Photo)
  • Gollahon, L.S., K. Lee,V. Finckbone, Y. Jeong. (2013). The Natural Product NI-07 Demonstrates Effective Anti-cancer Properties Against Numerous Cancer Cell Types. Journal of Solid Tumors. 3(5):30-45.
  • Pan, Z. and L. Gollahon. (2013).Paclitaxel induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through different calcium -regulating mechanisms depending on external calciumconditions. In review: International Journal of Molecular Science: Special Apoptosis Issue.

Department of Biological Sciences

  • Address

    Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Box 43131 Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.2715
  • Email

    biology@ttu.edu