Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access

Laura Beretta

Biography

Laura Beretta studies went on University of Paris VI, France B.S. 1983 Cellular Biology, University of Paris VI, France M.S. 1984 Cellular Biology, University of Paris VI, France Ph.D. 1989 Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology.

Research Interest

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 3% of the world population (2% of the US population). HCV persists in the large majority of infected patients. We are using a combination of proteomics and gene silencing technologies to identify cellular proteins involved in HCV replication in hepatocytes. We are also studying HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of HCV-associated HCC is rising in the United States and is likely to triple over the next 10 to 20 years. This new trend is largely due to the high prevalence of HCV infection in the population. The overall survival rate of HCC is poor because most patients are diagnosed when the tumor is in an advanced stage. Our group has embarked on a major effort to integrate transcriptomics and proteomics for identifying new markers for early diagnosis of HCC and for identifying defective signaling pathways and their signature in hepatocytic transformation. We are also using mouse models of HCC to identify molecular events associated with hepatocarcinogenesis.