William Ricke, PhD
Credentials: Professor
Department of Urology Research Professor
Director of the George M. O’Brien Center
Email: rickew@urology.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 265-3202
Address:
Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research
1111 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
Dr. Ricke’s laboratory is a translational research laboratory focused on the tumor microenviroment as it relates to hormone action and stromal-epithelial interactions in prostate diseases including prostate cancer. Dr. Ricke discovered that steroid hormone action is critical in the stroma rather than epithelia for malignant transformation and metastasis in prostate cancer, and, that targeting stromal receptors with therapies are the primary mode of therapy. The Ricke lab recently discovered that stromal cells are critical to prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and castrate resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, paracrine interactions are necessary for the development of key genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, and gene-fusion events in aggressive prostate cancer. This understanding provides the framework for elucidating key molecular and cell biological events through research as well as providing therapeutic targets which can be tested via clinically relevant and experimental drugs. The Ricke lab utilizes mouse models, human tissues, and clinical data to determine the effects and understand the molecular mechanisms of hormones and growth factors. Currently, the Ricke lab is investigating the role of hormones on collagen changes/metrics in gene expression, collagen fiber density and alignment. Changes in collagens appear to be correlated with aggressive of prostate disease.
Education
- Fellow, Prostate Development and Pathogenesis, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 2000-2005
- Doctor of Philosophy, Endocrine-Animal Science,University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 1995-2000
- Master of Science, Endocrine-Animal Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 1993-1995
- Bachelors of Science, Animal Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1990-1993
- Veterinary technician certification, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C., 1990
Research Interests
Dr. Ricke’s research interests include prostate cancer.
Graduate Training Programs
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (School of Pharmacy)
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology
Funding/Grants
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction Leads to Dysregulation of the Krebs Cycle in BPH/LUTS
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Prenatal Estrogenic Exposure Contributes to Racial Disparity in the Development of BPH/LUTS
Funding Agency: NIH - Elucidating Hallmarks of Aging in the Development of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD)
Funding Agency: NIH/NIDDK - Wisconsin Urologic Research Institute (WURI) Grant
Funding Agency: Wisconsin Urologic Research Institute - Cellular Senescence Leads to Accelerated Epigenetic Aging and Frailty in BPH/LUTS
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Assessing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Development of Prostate Fibrosis and LUTD
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Estrogen Pathways in the Development of Prostatic Fibrosis and Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Osteopontin: A Novel Mediator of Prostatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Funding Agency: NIH/NIDDK - Impact of Age on Altered Steroidogenesis and Estrogen Receptor Activation in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Progression
Funding Agency: NIA - Estrogens Stimulate Prostatic Collagen
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Administrative Core: Cellular and Molecular Mediators of Fibrosis in the Development of Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Cellular and Molecular Mediators of Fibrosis in the Development of Urinary Tract Dysfunction
Funding Agency: NIDDK - Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Doxin
Funding Agency: NIH/NIEHS
Recent Publications
