The Gregg Semenza Lab studies the molecular mechanisms of oxygen homeostasis. We have cloned and characterized hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Current research investigates the role of HIF-1 in the pathophysiology of cancer, cerebral and myocardial ischemia, and chronic lung disease, which are the most common causes of mortality in the U.S.

Our lab is focused on determining the role of hypoxia in breast cancer metastasis. We are particularly interested in the changes in the extracellular matrix that occur under hypoxic conditions and promote cancer cell migration.