Light up the genes: Labeled probes homed in on defined regions on a chromosome, a storage particle for genetic information
The goal of our division is to identify the role of spontaneous and genetically-related alterations in the development of human cancers. Our studies are focusing on neuroblastoma, a common cancer in infants, as well as on different types of breast cancer that occur sporadically or on the basis of an inherited risk.
In addition, we are studying the role of what are called “fragile sites” of chromosomes in the development of genetic alterations associated with carcinogenesis. We are aiming to identify genetic changes which may be useful for diagnosing or treating cancer or for making predictions about the course of the disease.
In working towards these aims, we are closely collaborating with clinical partners and using a modern combination of techniques for chromosome analysis, the determination of complex gene expression profiles as well as biochemical and molecular-genetic methods.