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Expert trained as a classical molecular biologist using viral model systems to examine regulation of gene expression and DNA replication in bacterial and animal viruses. His post-doctoral work focused upon regulation and malignant transformation caused by human papovaviruses and adenoviruses. This research led to identification and characterization the p53 cellular oncogene, which plays a central role in many human cancers. Subsequently, as an independent investigator, Expert’s laboratory made the key observation that led to the recognition of the role of the p53 protein as the “guardian of the cellular genome” in normal, non-cancerous cells.

His major interest throughout his career has been in molecular oncology, specifically in the area of molecular diagnostics, where he has applied traditional and innovative techniques to the task of identifying and characterizing specific tumors and other cellular abnormalities. The approaches he has developed to achieve these goals include solid phase immunoassays, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, PCR, and isothermal DNA amplification techniques.

A major focus of Expert’s attention has been means to identify women who are at risk for the development of invasive cervical cancers. In large part this has focused on approaches that add specificity to existing methods such as the Pap smear test for cellular abnormalities or tests for the human papillomavirus (HPV) genetic material. The assays he has developed have targeted the changes in gene expression that are hallmarks of cervical cells that have made the transition to precancerous growth, and are on their way to becoming tumors.

Expert has experience in both basic cancer research and its application in clinical practice. A major part of his career has been devoted to applying basic insights into oncogenesis and neoplastic progression to the understanding of cells and tissues submitted as patient samples to clinical diagnostics laboratories. He has lead efforts to apply and automate methods for the analysis of biopsies by using molecular and immunological probes to add information beyond that obtained from standard histopathology.

Most recently Expert has concentrated upon applying insights from genomics and proteomics to cell- and tissue-based screening and diagnostics assays. He has worked to develop algorithms that support the use of new forms of cancer chemotherapy, notably targeted therapies, for specific tumors. He has particular expertise and interest in the interface between diagnostics and treatment, often called theranostics or personalized medicine, as it applies to breast cancer, where the emergence of new treatments are having a great impact upon patient management. Similarly, through the application of integrated analysis of multiple parameters, systems biology, he developed a unique approach to cervical cancer screening that may supplant the Pap test as the standard of care in the United States, while serving as a point-of-care (POC) test in developing and otherwise under served markets.

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