Dr. Byers focuses his research on cadherin/catenin adhesion and signaling system in breast and colon cancer and its interaction with nuclear receptors and tumor suppressor genes. Projects ongoing in his laboratory include studies of the regulation of beta-catenin signaling emphasizing the development of novel technologies with which to regulate it; the interaction between beta-catenin and steroid receptor pathways; cross regulation of beta-catenin and cytokine signaling pathways; the characterization and regulation of cadherin-11 in breast cancer; the identification and characterization of a new APC-like gene, a candidate tumor suppressor in sporadic breast and ovarian cancer; vascular and ostetoblast mimicry in breast cancer; beta-catenin regulation of protein translation; and regulation of beta-catenin signaling by mechanical strain.