Brander Cancer Research Institute
- Founded: 1990
- Purpose: Scientists study the basic mechanisms involved
in control of cell proliferation, DNA repair and cell death as they
relate to the differences between normal and cancer cells. They apply
their discoveries and insights toward the development of more effective
tools for the diagnosis, classification, and monitoring of treatment
in individual patients.
- Objectives:
- Develop tools for more accurate tumor diagnosis and
prognosis leading to improved patient care;
- Train visiting scientists, postgraduate, graduate,
and medical students in new drug evaluation, analysis of tumor kinetics
and treatment, and cancer diagnosis and monitoring;
- Create an interdepartmental forum on cancer research.
- Current research: Focuses on development of novel
single cell assays to determine the mechanisms by which tumor cells
differ from normal cells in how they control their growth; how cells
repair damage to their genetic material, DNA; the development of sensitive
tools to detect how cells identify and respond to various environmental
insults that damage DNA; a method for investigating potential anti-aging
molecules that reduce the likelihood of DNA damage; research into
the cellular pathways of apoptosis, or cell death, and important cell
response; and studies applying these assays in translational research
to monitor individual patients' response to chemotherapy.
- Contact: Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., Director,
914-594-3794
