Medicinal Chemistry

Cancer Biology

Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBG) Program is to pursue research bridging basic and clinical aspects of the genesis, progression, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Research at CBG focuses on molecular and genetic determinants of cancer predisposition, tumor development and metastasis, and the nature of therapeutic targets and the basis for their response to therapy. The program draws from fundamental mechanisms of cell and tissue development and homeostasis, animal models of disease, and clinical samples and studies. Translational research is a primary focus of many CBG members and permeates the research projects of our other members.

Cancer research ranges from epidemiology, molecular bioscience to the performance of clinical trials to evaluate and compare applications of the various cancer treatment. These applications include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy  and combined treatment modalities such as chemo-radiotherapy. Starting in the mid-1990s, the emphasis in clinical cancer research shifted towards therapies derived from biotechnology research, such as cancer immunotherapy and gene therapy.