Olugbemiga “Ben” Ogunkua, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Divisions of Cancer Biology and Professional Education, Department of Biomedical Sciences

(615) 327-6345
WBS, Room 2126
1005 Dr. D.B. Todd Boulevard
Nashville, TN  37208

oogunkua@mmc.edu

Lab URL

CV or Bio (PDF)

M.D. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Ph.D. in Anatomy & Cell Biology at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Ogunkua and his colleagues are examining the impact of Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], a lipophilic aromatic hydrocarbon present in environmental waste and in some foods, on prostate cancer initiation and progression – B(2)P has been implicated in toxicity and in increased incidence of cancer in various organs. To test whether B(a)P alters the rate or extent of cancer development, they are exploiting a genetically engineered mouse model that permits the study of prostate carcinogenesis in an experimentally amenable time frame. The central hypothesis to be tested is that exposure to B(a)P aerosol at levels experienced by human beings in certain environments results in alteration of prostatic function leading to induction or acceleration of prostate cancer formation.  This hypothesis can be narrowed down to two questions. 1) Does B(a)P alter specific steroidal hormone and androgen events in a temporal manner to alter prostatic function? and 2) Does B(a)P accelerate prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm that progresses to prostate adenocarcinoma?

These studies are intended to advance the knowledge of the role of environmental toxicants on the initiation and progression of prostate cancer.

Samant SA, Ogunkua OO, Hui L, Lu J, Han Y, Orth JM, Pilder SH.  The mouse t complex distorter/sterility candidate, Dnahc8, expresses a gamma-type axonemal dynein heavy chain isoform confined to the principal piece of the sperm tail.  Dev Biol. 2005;285:57-69.

Samant SA, Ogunkua O, Hui L, Fossella J, Pilder SH.  The T complex distorter 2 candidate gene, Dnahc8, encodes at least two testis-specific axonemal dynein heavy chains that differ extensively at their amino and carboxyl termini.  Dev Biol. 2002;250:24-43.

Osegbe DN, Ogunkua O, Magoha GA.  Testicular torsion rate in Nigerians.  Trop Geogr Med. 1987;39:372-5.