National Cancer Institute 5P30CA072720-27

Genomic Instability and Cancer Genetics

This NIH-funded project investigates genome stability mechanisms to prevent cancer, focusing on DNA repair, tumorigenesis factors, and cancer genomic alterations. It involves a large multidisciplinary team and significant funding, aiming to translate findings into precision oncology and support diverse scientific training.

Description

The project aims to determine the mechanisms by which genome stability is maintained to prevent tumorigenesis, define the landscapes of cancer genomes, and expose the therapeutic vulnerabilities of cancer due to genomic alterations. The program is organized around three themes: 1. Fundamental mechanisms of genome maintenance in DNA repair, replication fidelity, and cell cycle control. 2. Modifying and regulatory factors of tumorigenesis. 3. Genomic alterations in cancer. The research team consists of 40 members with diverse expertise from 21 departments, nine schools, three universities, and one institute. The project is supported by $10.8 million in cancer-relevant funding, including 32 NIH R01 or equivalent grants to 21 independent PD/PIs and 14 multi-PI awards. Key scientific achievements include application of single-cell CRISPR screens to DNA repair genes, demonstration of critical roles of BRCA1-PALB2-BRCA2 interactions, discovery of new mechanisms of mitotic spindle assembly, identification of novel functions of TP53, and development of genomic tools for precision oncology. The program emphasizes translation of mechanistic and genomic studies, relevance to various cancer types, community outreach, training of under-represented scientists, and collaborative team science.

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