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Research Bench Lab
Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine

Precision Oncology & Cancer Genomics Program

Precision Oncology & Cancer Genomics Program

Hundreds of genes influence the development, treatment, and outcomes of patients with various cancers. Mellowes Center researchers investigate the genetic, epigenetic (changes caused by the activation or deactivation of genes), and environmental factors that lead to cancer. These studies show the most promise for personalizing cancer care and establishing novel workflows that improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer based on each patient’s genetic makeup.

Through its partnership with the MCW Cancer Center, Mellowes Center Precision Oncology faculty harness this power of precision medicine to accelerate innovative research via tumor boards, the adult cancer clinical trials enterprise, and translational research units, these groups strive to accelerate novel studies and develop personalized treatments for rare cancers.

Program Faculty

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Hui-Zi Chen, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

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Victor X. Jin, PhD

Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Endowed Chair of Bioinformatics and Data Analytics; Professor, IHH/Biostatistics

vjin@mcw.edu

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Razelle Kurzrock, MD, FACP

Center Associate Director, Professor

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Gwen Lomberk, PhD

Chief, Division of Research; Director, Basic Science Research; Department of Surgery; Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology & Toxicology

glomberk@mcw.edu

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Raul A. Urrutia, MD

Professor, Department of Surgery; Director, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine

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Michael T. Zimmermann, PhD

Director, Computational Structural Genomics Unit, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine; Assistant Professor, Data Science Institute

Precision Oncology & Cancer Genomics Sample Publications

Personalized matched targeted therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer: a pilot cohort analysis. Shaya J, Kato S, Adashek JJ, Patel H, Fanta PT, Botta GP, Sicklick JK, Kurzrock R npj Genomic Medicine December 2023;8(1) SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85146753220

Writers and Readers of H3K9me2 Form Distinct Protein Networks During the Cell Cycle, Which Include Candidates for H3K9 Mimicry. Pollin G, De Assuncao TM, Doria Jorge S, Chi YI, Charlesworth MC, Madden B, Iovanna JL, Zimmermann MT, Urrutia R, Lomberk G. Biosci Rep. 2023 Oct 2:BSR20231093. doi: 10.1042/BSR20231093. Online ahead of print.PMID: 37782747

KrasG12D induces changes in chromatin territories that differentially impact early nuclear reprogramming in pancreatic cells. Mathison AJ, Kerketta R, de Assuncao TM, Leverence E, Zeighami A, Urrutia G, Stodola TJ, di Magliano MP, Iovanna JL, Zimmermann MT, Lomberk G, Urrutia R. Genome Biol (IF: 10.81; Q1). 2021 Oct 14;22(1):289. doi: 10.1186/s13059-021-02498-6.PMID: 34649604

Priming therapy by targeting enhancer-initiated pathways in patient-derived pancreatic cancer cells. Fraunhoffer NA, Moreno Vega AI, Abuelafia AM, Morvan M, Lebarbier E, Mary-Huard T, Zimmermann MT, Lomberk G, Urrutia R, Dusetti N, Blum Y, Nicolle R, Iovanna J.E BioMedicine. 2023 Jun;92:104602. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104602. Epub 2023 May 4.PMID: 37148583

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