University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Pharmacology

Ford Lab

Heide L. Ford · Denver, Colorado

Research Focus

Dr. Heide L. Ford's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind aggressive pediatric cancers like Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Their research aims to uncover how specific transcription factors influence tumor growth and differentiation, potentially leading to targeted therapies that minimize toxicity. By combining advanced genetic tools and animal models, the team seeks to develop better treatments for these challenging cancers.

RhabdomyosarcomaTriple Negative Breast Cancertranscription factorstumor differentiationmetastasis

Research Aims

AIM 01Investigate how SIX1 influences muscle differentiation and RMS growth.

AIM 02Identify critical cofactors of SIX1 that can induce differentiation in RMS.

AIM 03Determine how Eya3 regulates NFkB signaling to increase TNBC metastasis.

AIM 04Explore the interaction between Eya3 and PP2A in tumor progression.

AIM 05Develop potential targeted therapies for RMS and TNBC based on findings.

Skills the Lab Values

Molecular biology techniquesAnimal modelingCRISPR gene editingCell cultureTumor microsurgeryFlow cytometryRNA sequencingZebrafish modelingImmunological assays

Output against the department

Publications314top 25% of dept.116th of 462

this lab

most publishedleast published

Citations10ktop 37% of dept.173rd of 462

this lab

most citedleast cited

Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.