The Hu laboratory focuses on identifying and characterizing biomarkers that are deregulated in tumorigenesis. We are particularly interested in understanding how transcription factors such as NF-kappaB and co-factors, including histone deacetylases (HDAC)s, control various cellular functions during tumor promotion and tumor progression. Another focus of the laboratory is to study the molecular basis by which the bioactive food components exert chemoprevention effects. This work is aimed to discover and validate effective biomarkers to assess dietary effects on the tumorigenesis. Current efforts have being focused on understanding how the dietary HDAC inhibitor butyrate exerts anti-inflammation and anti-tumorigenesis functions by targeting NF-kappaB and HDAC.