Interpreting Molecular Readouts to Advance Cancer Medicine

Research Areas: Integrative Network Biology 
We are applying data integration and network analyses to afford novel systems perspectives on gene function, particularly in cell invasiveness, migration and stem-like properties. The need for better diagnosis and treatment of common human diseases is a core motivator for this work.

Genetic control of cell behaviour is mediated through an intricate mesh of interconnected networks, not linear pathways. Many genes function in several cellular processes, and some can have seemingly opposite functions depending on context (e.g. to both promote and suppress cancer progression). Network properties can predict disease outcome, and contribute to incomplete penetrance of mutations (e.g. by thresholding stochastic fluctuations). Indeed, network biology is fundamental to understanding cell fate regulation and important for developing new clinical tools.