Dr. Khokha is currently examining how proteolysis (MMP/TIMP/ADAM), specific growth factors (IGF-II, HGF, TNF), and tumor suppressors and oncogenes impact signals in tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis. She uses genetic mouse models of human cancers and disease to study the cellular and molecular basis of breast, liver, lung, and bone cancers, and also investigate the role of proteolytic systems in tissue homeostasis in models of heart disease, inflammation and tissue regeneration. A central hypothesis for her work is that cellular microenvironment converges at the cell surface to trigger intracellular signaling pathways and influence cell fate.

Fruthermore, Dr. Khokha and her team are interested in transgenic and knockout mice for TIMP and IGF genes to understand their functions in liver, breast and prostate cancer, osteosarcoma, emphysema, breast development and reproduction.

Rama Khokha is a leading scientist in the field of matrix metalloproteinases in cancer, and has made important contributions to the field of mammary gland. She is a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, and Senior Scientist for the Ontario Cancer Institute.