Departmental Goal 2035 — Ultraearly detection and immune-system-based therapy development for cancer
Explore genes vital to cells, elucidate how protein mutation initiates cancer, and learn how a sugar molecule helps cancer hide. Investigate how cancer cells alter metabolism, protein interactions and signaling pathways that make disease prognosis difficult for clinicians.
Analyze shifts in cellular metabolism, protein signaling and molecular fingerprints to uncover early biomarkers — before symptoms of cancer even appear. Develop innovative detection techniques that leverage knowledge of unique biomarkers in cancer metabolism. This enables pre-symptomatic diagnosis, when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest.
Understand how cancer cells exploit biological pathways to develop and test targeted treatments. Identify molecular vulnerabilities in tumors to inform precision therapies that are more effective and less toxic. Translate lab-based breakthroughs to effective, real-world interventions that improve patient quality of life.
