Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Office:  855 WIDB

Office Phone:  801-422-2449

Email:  kim_oneill@byu.edu

Education

BSc, New University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, 1980

Ph.D. at the Biomedical Sciences Research Center, Oncology Division, University of Ulster, Coleraine N. Ireland. (1986)

Research Interests

I am interested in three main aspects of cancer research:

1. Prevention through education.  Our laboratory focuses on the benefits that can be obtained through a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. We are investigating the many different plant chemicals that are involved in reducing cancer risk. It is a well‑established fact that many cancers can be prevented by proper attention to diet. We are investigating phytochemicals at the molecular level to establish the mechanisms of protection.  We promote education by publishing our research findings in scientific journals, giving presentations at conferences and authoring chapters in scientific books. I have also been a co‑author on a book 'Power Plants¹, which details the scientific evidence (in layman terms) of the benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

2. Enhancing the body's own defense systems particularly the immune system and DNA repair mechanisms. The body has natural defenses against cancer. We study the immune system and help with the development of possible vaccines that could be used against certain forms of cancer. We are currently studying the interface between the immune system and the cancer cell, focusing on tumor associated macrophages and their role in the cancer process. We have developed new methods to study angiogenesis and metastasis.  We have also developed the comet assay to aid in studies of apoptosis and DNA repair. Understanding how we can enhance the immune systems ability to recognize cancer cells will play a major role in the fight against cancer.

3. Early detection of disease.  Cancer is generally easier to treat, and a better outcome is assured, if the tumor growth is found early in its development. If it is discovered before metastatic spread then generally a more favorable outcome is achieved. We have discovered a tumor marker found in serum that will aid in diagnosis, prognosis and tumor management. This maker accurately reflects tumor presence, and tumor stage. Several other laboratories working in this field have confirmed this research. We have developed and accurate test method for this marker, BYU has patented the discovery, and it has been licensed to a biotech company for commercial development.            

Student Involvement/ Requirements

I currently have several graduate students and about 20 undergraduate students researching in my lab. All are working on some aspect of cancer research. I begin taking undergraduate students at any time in their education. Students need to complete a six‑week initiation course taught by faculty and the research team, before being eligible for research in my lab. Students also need to exhibit extraordinary interest and enthusiasm in performing research, as well as a solid background in molecular biology. The work is publication oriented and undergraduates often appear on publications. Many undergraduates have attended and presented their research at the Annual Association for Cancer Research (AACR), which is the biggest cancer research meeting in the world. This is a gateway to a future graduate career at a top medical or graduate school.  Students work with faculty, post‑docs, graduate students, and other undergraduates on the research, which is funded by various sources both external and internal. A two‑year commitment is generally required.

Publications

Fairbairn DW, Standing MD, O’Neill KL (1996): Absence of temporal ordering of apoptotic features in heat-shock treated leukemia nad lymphoma cell lines. Pro. Microscopy and Microanalysis 758-759.

 Lu X, Fairbairn DW, Bradshaw WS, O’Neill KL, Ewert DL, Simmons D (1997): NSAID-induced apoptosis in Rous Sarcoma Virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts is dependent on v-src and c-myc and is inhibited by bcl-2. Prostoglandins 54:549-568

 Poe BS, O’Neill KL (1997): Inhibition of protein synthesis sensitizes thermotolerant cells to heat shock induced apoptosis. Apoptosis 2 6:1-8.

 Poe BS, O’Neill KL (1997): Caffeine modulates heat shock induced apoptosis in the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. Cancer Letters 121:1-6.

 O’Neill KL, Zhang F (1998): Thymidine kinase immunodetection assay: The future of breast cancer prognosis? Cancer, Biotherapy, and Radio Pharmaceuticals Vol. 13 No. 1:56.

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology