We are now trying to identify three additional genes that play a causal role in this process. These gene isolation techniques are used in connection with procedures to demonstrate the role of these genes in the cancer process. Other studies involve analyzing tumors from patients using these techniques to be sure that the model studies carried out with cells in culture are consistent with what is observed in human cancer. To determine the risk to humans of exposure to specific carcinogenic agents, such as ionizing radiation, we treat human cells in culture with the agent and then determine its cytotoxic and transforming effects. The research is carried out by a staff of 15-20, composed of postdoctoral research associates, graduate students, and research assistants from the U.S. or abroad.
Funding comes mainly from federal grants for research and training.
Students interested in carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and molecular and cellular biology are encouraged to discuss their interests with one of the directors and carry out a rotation in the laboratory to become personally acquainted with the research being conducted. Qing, J., Wei, D., Maher, V.M., McCormick, J.J. Cloning and characterization of a novel gene encoding a putative transmembrane protein with altered expression in some human transformed and tumor-derived cell lines. McGregor, W.G., Wei, D., Maher, V.M., McCormick, J.J. Abnormal, error-prone bypass of photoproducts by xeroderma pigmentosum variant cell extracts results in extreme strand stand bias for the kinds of mutations induced by UV light.