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The Cancer Center

Houston, Texas

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Cancer Center
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Cancer Biology Program

(Lawrence A. Donehower, Ph.D., Leader;
Franco DeMayo, Ph.D., Co-Leader)

Dr. Lawrence Donehower This program has 26 members (most with independent cancer-relevant support) whose research is focused on understanding mechanisms of cancer development and its implications for therapeutic intervention. Investigators rely heavily on genetic techniques, animal models using genetic techniques (Drosophilia, genetically modified mice, and mouse mutagenesis), and related studies with human cells and tissues. In addition to breast, prostate and pediatric cancer, we have significant expertise in skin, lung, ovarian, GI, CNS, and head and neck cancer and lymphoma. The program has three major themes.

Targeted Animal Models of Human Cancers

Using knockout and transgenic mouse models developed at Baylor College of Medicine, investigators in the program are studying the molecular genetic basis of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes in carcinogenesis.

Gene Function and Expression in Human Cancer

Members of the Cancer Biology Program work on human cells and tissues with a emphasis on understanding changes in gene/oncogene expression and function in cancer. Many of these investigations are designed to develop translational research innovations. Areas of investigation include Barrett's esophagus; brain cancer; arsenic toxicity; breast, prostate and ovarian cancer; and skin cancer including melanomas. We plan to recruit up to eight faculty in this area over the next four years.

Random Mutagenesis Screen for Cancer-associated Genes

In addition to targeting specific genes involved in cancer, Cancer Center members have undertaken a large-scale phenotype-driven random mutagenesis screen of the mouse led by Dr. Monica Justice. This approach has the potential to identify new cancer-associated genes. The diverse expertise of members of the Cancer Biology Program facilitates the determination of the molecular mechanisms by which these novel genes cause cancer.

Translational Research

Although BCM has been a leader in the development of animal models with discrete genetic alterations implicated in human cancers, the use of these animal models for in vivo testing of targeted therapeutics has lagged. We anticipate that this program will provide a focus for basic and clinical investigators to use animal models for testing experimental therapies and prevention strategies that will ultimately lead to clinically useful therapies.

Members

  • Lawrence A. Donehower, Ph.D., Leader
  • Barry Markaverich, Ph.D.
  • Franco Demy, Ph.D., Co-Leader
  • Martin Matzuk, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Hugo Bellen, Ph.D., D.V.M.
  • Daniel Medina, Ph.D.
  • Allan Bradley, Ph.D.
  • Estela Medrano, Ph.D.
  • William Brinkley, Ph.D.
  • David Nelson, Ph.D.
  • Charles Brunicardi, M.D.
  • Paul Overbeek, Ph.D.
  • Olga Cabello, Ph.D.
  • Aleksandar Rajkovic
  • Carlos Caulin, Ph.D.
  • Jon Reed
  • Franco DeMayo, Ph.D.
  • Jeffery Rosen, Ph.D.
  • Xin-Hua Feng, Ph.D.
  • David Rowley, Ph.D.
  • William Fisher, M.D.
  • Michael Schneider, B.S., M.B.B.S.
  • Monica Justice, Ph.D.
  • David Spencer, Ph.D.