Cancer Biology

Cancer cells under microscope

Overview

The Cancer Biology program is a basic research hub for the Duke Cancer Institute. Its focus areas are cancer cell signaling, metabolism, and cancer genetics.

Mission and Scope

The mission and scope of the Cancer Biology program are to foster current and seed future basic research and promote foundational advancements in cancer biology. To do this, the Cancer Biology program:

  • Fosters high-impact, basic research in cancer cell signaling and cancer genetics.
  • Promotes transdisciplinary research in these fields.
  • Trains the next generation of basic cancer researchers.

Areas of Focus

  • Cancer cell signaling: signal transduction, metabolism, stem cells, tumor microenvironment
  • Cancer genetics: recombination/replication/repair, gene regulation, and epigenetics, RNA biology, structural biology, genomics, viral oncology, microbiome

Leukemia Drug Shows Potential Against Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

In animal studies led by Dr. Pendergast, a drug approved to treat leukemia successfully disrupted the ability of HER2-positive breast cancer tumors from colonizing the brain.

Ann Marie Pendergast
Ann Marie Pendergast

Ann Pendergast

Anthony R. Means Cancer Biology Distinguished Professor

Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi
Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi

Jen-Tsan Chi

Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Micah Alan Luftig
Micah Alan Luftig

Micah Luftig

Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

This page was reviewed on 09/11/2023