The Molecular Genetics and Hematopoiesis Program (Program 2) is an integrated and collaborativeprogram with 23 members from 4 Departments. Program members are supported by $4,032,056 in peerreviewedfunding (direct costs), with $1,744,246 from the NCI. Program members have a total of 308peer-reviewed publications, including 22% intraprogrammatic and 12% interprogrammatic publications.The overall goals of the Program in Molecular Genetics and Hematopoiesis are: (1) to foster scientificinteractions among investigators involved in clinical management and biological studies of hematologicalmalignancies; (2) to promote translational research and facilitate the transfer of laboratory research to themanagement of patients with these diseases; and (3) to promote optimal use of resources within theUniversity of Chicago Cancer Research Center and collaborating departments.Cytogenetic and molecular analysis of the hematological malignant diseases has led to theidentification of many genes that are involved in normal hematopoiesis, as well as in the pathogenesis ofleukemias and lymphomas. These insights have refined diagnostic and prognostic capabilities and haveprovided the foundation for risk-adapted, molecularly targeted therapeutics. Members of this programhave had major roles in defining the pathogenetic events leading to hematological malignancies over thepast 30 years. During the last five years, these important insights have begun to be translated into novelmolecularly targeted approaches for the hematological malignancies. Program 2 is comprised of a tightlyintegrated group of investigators who are linked by common research themes and are working towardsachievement of common goals. Specifically, the primary research goals of the investigators in Program 2are: (1) to investigate mechanisms of normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and to elucidate pathogeneticpathways in hematologic cancers through the study of recurring chromosomal and molecular geneticaberrations in human leukemias and lymphomas; (2) to correlate recurring cytogenetic abnormalities andgenetic mutations with the morphological, immunophenotypic, and clinical features of leukemia andlymphoma patients to define specific genetic risk groups based on better definition of molecular geneticpathways; (3) to develop, generate, and characterize animal model systems to dissect the functions ofgenes that are critical to both normal hematopoiesis and the development of hematopoietic diseases; and(4) to translate these insights into the design and conduct of novel risk-adapted clinical trials inhematological malignancies.
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