Specific projects:
1. Ultrasound Tissue characterization. This project focuses on the use of high resolution ultrasound and spectral analysis to identify changes at the cellular level in various tissues. A new avenue for this research project is the identification of molecular signals that may correlate with the ultrasound findings.

2. Bioabsorbable tissue joining devices for drug delivery. A new method for tissue specific drug delivery with the aim of improving surgical efficacy with lower morbidity. (collaboration with biomedical engineering)

3. Evaluation of novel anti cancer agents. The toxicity portion of the lab evaluates in vitro and in vivo actions of new drugs.

4. Clinical database development. A virtual lab aimed at improving the quality of clinical information used for clinical studies. (collaboration with Institute for Healthcare Informatics)

5. Philadelphia Breast health project. A project developed to provide healthcare to those in need. (collaboration with the School of Public Health)

Publications:

1. Brooks, A.D., Tong, W., Benedetti, F., Kaneda, Y., Miller, V., Warrell Jr., R.P., Inhaled aerosolization of all trans retinoic acid for targeted pulmonary delivery. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2000; 46(4):313-8.

2. Brooks, A.D., NG, B., Liu D, Brownlee M, Burt, M.E., Federoff, H. J., Fong, Y., Specific organ gene transfer in vivo by regional organ perfusion with herpes viral amplicon vectors: Implications for local gene therapy. Surgery 2001; 129(3):324-334.

3. Brooks, A.D., Shaha, A.R., DuMornay, W., Huvos, A.G., Zakowski, M., Brennan, M.F., Shah, J., The role of fine needle aspiration biopsy and frozen section analysis in the surgical management of thyroid tumors. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2001; 8(2):92-100.

4. Brooks, A.D., Bowne, W.B., Delgado, R., Leung, D.H.Y., Woodruff, J., Brennan, M.F., Lewis, J.J., Management of soft tissue sarcoma of the groin. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2001; 193(2):130-6.

5. Brooks, A.D., Karpoff, H.M., Coit, D.G., Brennan, M.F., Jaques, D. The search for level I evidence in oncology. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2001; 8(8): 638-643.

6. Culliford A.T. 4th, Brooks A.D., Sharma S., Saltz L.B., Schwartz G.K., O'Reilly E.M., Ilson D.H., Kemeny N.E., Kelsen D.P., Guillem J.G., Wong W.D., Cohen A.M., Paty P.B. Surgical debulking and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for established peritoneal metastases from colon and appendix cancer. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2001; 8(10): 787-795.

7. Kaneda Y, Liu D, Brooks A, Abolhoda A, Labow D, Burt ME, Ginsberg RJ. Toxicity and pharmacokinetics of isolated lung perfusion with cisplatin in rat. Japanese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2001; 49(7):443-8.

8. Brooks, A.D., Gold, J., Boland, P., Lewis, J.J., Brennan, M.F., Healey, J. Resection of major nerves of the lower extremity: Assessment of functional status Annals of Surgical Oncology 2002; 9(1):41-7.

9. Brooks, A.D., Mallis, M., Brennan, M.F., Conlon, K.C. The Value of Laparoscopy in the Management of Ampullary, Duodenal and Distal Bile Duct Tumors. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2002; 6(2):139-45.

10. Brooks, A.D., Dudrick, P.S., Espat, N.J., Brennan, M.F., Conlon, K.C. The role of prophylactic gastric bypass in advanced pancreatic cancer. British Journal of Surgery 2002; Submitted.