An Interview with
Robert Klein "I collaborate with many clinicians who study a variety of cancers" 
|
|
|
We approach this problem first by performing forward genetic studies ("genome-wide association studies") in which we screen population and patient samples for genetic variants that are significantly correlated with cancer incidence. We do theoretical, computer-based work on how to improve the power of these studies, and use these improvements to analyze our data. Once associated loci are identified, understanding how they increase cancer risk requires both identifying the actual functional mutation at the locus and understanding the biology of the gene or genes the mutation influences. We use a combination of bioinformatics and high-throughput genomics data to generate hypotheses about mechanisms of disease susceptibility that can then be tested experimentally.
Current projects in the lab are primarily focused on prostate and pancreatic cancers. We are following up on previously reported genetic associations with prostate cancer to understand the mechanism of cancer predisposition at these loci. We are also developing improved statistical methods for analyzing genome-wide association data, and will be applying this to publically available prostate cancer association data. For pancreatic cancer, we are conducting our own genome-wide association study to identify alleles that increase ones risk of developing this virtually incurable malignancy. We are also involved in numerous collaborations with other investigators at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on diverse cancer types such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, endometrial cancer, and myoproliferative disorders.
