Cancer Biology and Cell Science

Track 18: Epigenetics

Epigenetics refers to inherited information passed down from parent cell to daughter cell but not encoded in the DNA sequence. Some epigenetic changes are a normal part of many biological processes, but other types can lead to disease, including cancer

It is a chemical modifications of a cell’s genetic material that lead to changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Over the past few years, we have learned that epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in the initiation, development, and progression of many types of cancer. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic states are in many cases reversible, which means it may be possible to manipulate them with drugs to interfere with tumor-promoting cell processes.

The goal of the CER is to explore how epigenetic processes integrate cellular signaling and the metabolic state to influence cell proliferation, differentiation, and adaptation during both normal development and cancer. This research is providing new insights into cancer pathogenesis and unique opportunities for developing new therapeutic strategies.