W. Steven Ward, PhD
Full Member, Cancer Biology Program, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointments:
Professor and Director, Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Chief, Research Division, Lakshmi Devi and Devraj Sharma Endowed Chair, Department of OB/GYN and Women's Health, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Degree(s):
MS, Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
PhD, Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University
Honors
2015 - Lakshmi Devi and Devraj Sharma Endowed Chair
Research Focus
Our laboratory is focused on how chromatin structure is important for DNA function. We use sperm as a model for the chromatin, and early development of the zygote as a model for function. Recently, we have expanded our repertoire into meiosis because of a unique discovery that a DNA binding protein is involved in chromatin segregation at meiosis.
Selected Publications
Nguyen H, James NG, Nguyen L, Nguyen TP, Vuong C., Ortega MA, Jameson DM, Ward, WS. (2017). Higher order oligomerization of the licensing ORC4 protein is required for polar body extrusion in murine meiosis. J Cellular Biochem, 118:2941-2949. PMID: 28230328, PMCID: PMC5509474.
Yamauchi Y, Shaman JA, Ward WS. (2007). Topoisomerase II Mediated Breaks in Spermatozoa Cause the Specific Degradation of Paternal DNA in Fertilized Oocytes. Biology of Reproduction, 76:666-672.
Farkas A, Schneider D, Perrotti M, Cummings KB, Ward WS. (1998). National Trends in the Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer 1973–1994: Evidence for the Effectiveness of PSA Screening. Urology, 52:444-448.
Ward WS, Coffey DS. (1991). DNA packaging and organization in mammalian spermatozoa: comparison with somatic cells. Biology of Reproduction, 44:569-574.
Ward WS, Schmidt WN, Schmidt C A, Hnilica LS. (1985). Crosslinking of the Novikoff ascites hepatoma cytokeratin Filaments. Biochem, 24:4429-4434.
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
W. Steven Ward, PI
2P20GM103457-06A1
NIH, NCRR
“Institute for Biogenesis Research – COBRE, Phase II”
This is a program project grant to support five junior investigators in the Institute for Biogenesis Research.
07/01/14 - 06/31/19
Total Direct Costs: $7,450,000, Total Costs: $10,839,660
W. Steven Ward, PI
1 R01 GM123048-01A1
“Chromatin Expulsion by the DNA Replication Licensing Factor ORC4 during Asymmetric Cell Division in Meiosis and Differentiation”
01/01/18-12/31/21
Total Direct Costs: $900,000
