We are interested in understanding how aberrations in molecular and cellular mechanisms governing tissue homeostasis may lead to cancer initiation and progression. During past years our laboratory has developed new autochthonous mouse models of high-grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, metastatic prostate cancer, luminal subtype B mammary carcinoma and undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma. By using these models we identified the critical roles of p53/miR-34/MET and Rb networks in adult stem cell maintenance and malignant transformation. We have also discovered a novel stem cell niche of the ovarian surface epithelium and have shown that its malignant transformation leads to the most aggressive ovarian cancer, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma. Our current studies focus on identification and characterization of novel cancer-prone stem cell niches of the female reproductive tract and the prostate. We are also pursuing technology-oriented research based on cross-disciplinary collaborations.