Gail Prins

Email Address: gprins@uic.edu
College: Medicine Department: Urology
Secondary Department: Physiology and Biophysics
Title: Professor
Office: COMRB 5131, M/C 955 Phone: 4139766
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes

Research Interest:
Prostate Gland: emphasis on hormonal control of prostatic development, growth and function; prostate stem cells; endocrine disrupting chemicals or environmental toxicants; prostate cancer.
Research within the laboratory of Dr. Gail S. Prins is focused on prostatic development, prostate stem cells, hormones and prostate cancer, and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA) and arsenic. NIH-funded grants cover research on estrogen-initiated developmental reprogramming of the prostate, estrogens and stem cells and interference by the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A, aka BPA. Models include rodent prostates as well as a newly developed system by the Prins laboratory using embryonic human stem cells and adult prostate stem cells from patient specimens. Her current focus centers on the Developmental Basis of Adult Disease paradigm which suggests that early life exposures to steroids and EDCs which can predispose the prostate gland to disease including carcinogenesis with aging

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 10

Qualifications of a Student:
Science major, preferably biology. Jr or Sr year. Minimum GPA of 3.4

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Students will learn laboratory skills specific to the ongoing research and will be assigned to a research project. Partial independence will be determined based on progress. The student will be expected to present findings at lab meetings and to write reports.

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