Molecular Oncology Program

The key research objectives of the Molecular Oncology Program are to elucidate the molecular functions of abnormal gene products that give rise to cancers.  Identifying these proteins, defining their biochemical functions and mechanisms of action, and determining their modes of interaction within the cellular regulatory networks that govern cell proliferation, cell cycle checkpoint control, apoptosis, migration, and metastasis continue to provide a clearer understanding of the processes that underlie malignant transformation.

The Molecular Oncology Program holds weekly Monday morning working meetings, which continue to provide the “glue” that holds the Program together, helping to ensure that all members, faculty and trainees alike, are exposed to the broadest spectrum of ideas and emerging techniques, have ready access to special resources, and receive constructive suggestions and criticisms about work in progress.  Over the years, this has provided a level of collegiality and comfort that facilitates interdisciplinary interactions, cultivates excellence by setting high but attainable standards, and provides a framework in which trainees can contribute and prosper in their own career development.  The Molecular Oncology Program draws investigators from ten distinct departments within the institution, including Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Genetics & Tumor Cell Biology, Hematology, Immunology, Infectious Disease, Molecular Pharmacology, Oncology, Pathology, and Structural Biology. Many of the participants hold additional appointments in other Programs within the Cancer Center.  This has fueled multi-disciplinary and inter-programmatic collaborations in addition to the intra-programmatic activities that evolve within the Molecular Oncology Program itself.  Many senior members actively participate in guiding the group, and they include Chairpersons within SJCRH as well as other experienced Full Members of our faculty. Program participants interact closely with clinical investigators in other Cancer Center Programs. Primary Molecular Oncology Program members are also directors or advisors to several of the CCSG-funded Shared Resources, including the Cell and Tissue Imaging Core, Cytogenetics Core, Protein Production Core, Transgenic/Knockout Core, and Vector Development and Production Core.

Members of this program use model organisms (yeasts, frogs, worms, and, particularly, mice) to study disease processes relevant to cancer.  We use genetic systems to test the effects of different oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and to define functional interactions between them in precipitating tumor formation in living animals.  The expanded emphasis in the Program in developing animal models that recapitulate genetic events that occur in human cancers has now allowed some members of the program to undertake pre-clinical therapeutic trials with “targeted” drugs. Basic and clinical scientists now attempt to apply their understanding of disease etiology to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.  These studies have begun to pinpoint novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, allowing the advancement of pre-clinical, translational efforts supported by a solid scientific foundation.

Brenda A. Schulman, PhD, and Charles J. Sherr, MD, PhD, are co-leaders of the program.


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