Center for Environmental and Molecular Carcinogenesis
The Center for Environmental and Molecular Carcinogenesis conducts collaborative research focusing on the molecular biology of cancer. The overall goal of the first area of research, Mechanisms of Environmental Carcinogenesis, is to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of cancer induced by carcinogens in the environment. This research emphasizes cellular responses to environmental stress, pro-survival and pro-death mechanisms, genomic instability incited by exposure to environmental agents such as radiation and chemicals, and the etiologies of specific environmentally induced cancers. In the second area, Diet, Energy Balance and Cancer Risk, research is conducted to gain an integrated understanding of how nutrition, genetics and environmental carcinogens participate in cancer causation and progression. The primary goal of the third area of research, Genetics and Epigenetics of Early Life Exposures, is to understand how early life exposures to environmental agents in the womb and during childhood change the epigenome and impact susceptibility to cancer in adulthood. The innovative results of the above research areas will be translated into new cancer prevention and intervention strategies.
Highlights
-
The vision of the CEMC is to make significant contributions to the understanding of the causes of cancer and to develop novel ways to detect, prevent and treat cancer. The Center theme is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cancer and define how environment, diet and genetics influence susceptibility to developing this disease.
-
CEMC researchers are characterizing the impact of energy balance modulation such as calorie restriction, diet-induced obesity, and physical activity on carcinogenesis caused by physical and chemical environmental carcinogens. Additional research will focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which specific dietary components affect the carcinogenesis process.
-
Funds provided to support the CEMC will establish new state-of-art shared resource facility cores and enhance existing facility cores. A grant program will be developed to support innovative pilot projects involving collaborative research. An enrichment program will provide value-added activities that will foster interaction and collaboration among CEMC members and MD Anderson faculty members.
-
The development of animal models to identify and verify new targets for the prevention of cancer is a critical aspect of the research preformed by Center members. The findings discovered in animal models are translated into preclinical mechanism-driven prevention studies that will ultimately inform epidemiologic studies and lead to clinical trials in humans.
-
The goal of the CEMC is to integrate information gained from the research focus areas to understand how environmental exposures ultimately influence cancer outcomes in human populations.