Bio

Research in Dr. Nichols’ lab involved study of steroid hormone receptors, primarily the estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERa, ERß), and their role in normal, as well as in cancer tissue. Dr. Nichols has developed in vitro model systems that allow (a) the analysis of the effect of estrogen receptor (ER) mutations, some found in breast cancers, on antihormone/SERM resistance and (b) screening of novel compounds for ER-subtype selective ligands. Better understanding of ligand activation of ERs should lead to improved endocrine therapies for treating and perhaps preventing breast and other estrogen responsive cancers.