Center for Inherited Oncogenesis

Here at the Center for Inherited Oncogenesis, our goal is to find common low risk and rare high risk germline genetic variation in the South Texas population that contribute to an increase in cancer risk and to understand the functional role or genetic risk factors in the pathogenesis of cancer. We want to identify genetic variants like BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and evaluate their contribution to a cancer predisposition. We use spatial multiomics profiling and integrated ‘big data’ analyses to see how genetic variation affects cancer pathogenesis at the cell-type specific level. And we use functional tools, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) modeling and CRISPR/Cas9 screening to study the function of genetic risk factors in cancer initiation and development. Along the way, we hope to teach and train undergraduates, graduates, MD and PhD students, postdoctoral scientists and faculty at all stages of their careers about germline genetics and cancer predisposition to improve the prevention of disease, whether it be identifying new screening and diagnostic biomarkers or novel drugs targets for prevention and treatment.

Simon Gayther, PhD
Professor, Med/Hematology & Med Oncology
Director, Center for Inherited Oncogenesis