Mission

The Cancer Biology & Experimental Therapeutics (CBET) thematic research program conducts research in understanding the basic mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression, with a long-term goal in translating this knowledge into effective cancer treatment. The Cancer Biology branch of CBET focuses on identifying and studying the molecular defects associated with cancers of the prostate, liver, pancreas, breast, nasopharynx, head and neck, and epidermoid carcinoma. Research activities include studying defects in signaling molecules that control cancer cell behaviors, global genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of cancer cells, elucidating the role of inflammation in tumor development, and the development of bioinformatics tools for “omics” analysis. The Experimental Therapeutics branch focuses on translational cancer pharmacogenomics, preclinical studies of the anti-tumor effects of biologics and Chinese Herbal extracts, and developing new therapeutics for chemoprevention and the alleviation of chemotherapy-induced side effects including nausea and emesis. The strategic long-term vision of the CBET aims to promote synergism between basic and translational research with the goal of developing innovative molecular-based therapies for human cancers.

Educational Mission

The major education goal of CBET is to train the next generation of cancer researchers. Members of the CBET are actively involved in training graduate students enrolled in the MPhil-PhD program in Biomedical Sciences. Apart from laboratory-based research, students are taught the latest advances in cancer research through didactic lectures, technical workshops, and journal clubs. The CBET is also participating in teaching undergraduate elective courses for students enrolled in the BSc in Biomedical Sciences. These courses will provide students with an introduction to the etiology, classification, and treatment of human cancers.

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