Case Comprehensive Cancer Center: Molecular Mechanisms of Oncogenesis

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MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ONCOGENESIS

PROGRAM LEADERS

	George R. Stark, PhD Professor, Molecular Genetics starkg@ccf.org
	Susann M. Brady-Kalnay, PhD Associate Professor, Molecular Biology & Microbiology smb4@case.edu

Program Themes | Program Information | Program Members | Focus Groups

PROGRAM THEMES

To determine how specific stimuli alter gene expression to generate inflammatory responses that predispose to malignancy
To investigate the roles in carcinogenesis and the mechanisms of aberrant cell migration, inappropriate activation of growth factor receptors and misregulation of the core transcriptional machinery
To bring sophisticated up-to-date high resolution analysis of protein structure increasingly to bear on proteins that play important roles in cancer

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The major scientific focus of this program is to provide improved understanding of some of the major signaling pathways that contribute to cancer, especially the important connection between inflammation and cancer and the roles of EGFR, nuclear receptors, transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins in specific malignancies (breast, colorectal and lung cancer, glioma). Structural biology and functional screening are being utilized to determine structures of molecules of interest in cancer and to identify novel molecular targets.

The Molecular Mechanisms of Oncogenesis Program is organized around 3 focus areas:

Inflammation and Cancer - includes studies of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) and cytokines, which induce inflammation, and inducible transcription factors, especially STAT3 and NFkB, which mediate the cellular responses.
Aberrant Signaling - includes contributions to cancer of cell migration, aberrant activation of growth factor receptors, aberrant gene expression through misregulation of core transcriptional machinery and chromatin remodeling.
Structural Biology - includes determination of high resolution structures of proteins important in cancer.