David Largaespada, Ph.D.

Program Leader:
David Largaespada, Ph.D.

Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Research Program members work to understand how mutant genes cause cancer and to test gene therapies. They investigate what occurs inside the cells to trigger cancer and what can be done to stop these processes before cancer begins.

Program News

Largaespada and Cormier receive grant to study colorectal cancer genes
David Largaespada, Ph.D., leader of the Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, and program member Robert Cormier, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth, are co-principal investigators on a newly-awarded NIH R01 grant "Transposon-based screens for colorectal cancer genes." This grant is based on their recent work that used mouse models and a transposable element called Sleeping Beauty to find genes that can drive colorectal cancer (Starr et al., Science, 2009). They will extend this work to study colorectal cancer in different genetic contexts and to study the function of new genes and pathways in this disease. Their studies demonstrate the power of combining transposon-based mutagenesis research with human studies in identifying the driver mutations that cause cancer. Similar results are accumulating for hepatocellular carcinoma, brain tumors, sarcomas, and several other types of cancer.

Ohlfest receives two grants for brain tumor therapy clinical trials

Basic Science research programs featured in Recognition Program event

U of M cancer researchers discover 32 new genes linked to colorectal and liver cancers

Retreat offers members opportunities for collaborations

U of M College of Veterinary Medicine introduces collaborative cancer program

U of M cancer researchers discover link between infant leukemia and form of brain cancer

Largaespada investigates mysterious tumor disorder in children

Link between gene variations and cancer survival shown in U of M study

Dog with fatal brain cancer is treated at the U of M with gene therapy created in the Ohlfest laboratory

Ohlfest receives grant to study brain tumors

Masonic Cancer Center researchers receive funding for sarcoma studies, patient education

Cause for paws: Centuries of canine trait selection and documented pedigrees provide treasure trove of genetic information

Bielinsky named Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar

U of M researchers discover genetic cancer link between humans and dogs

Cancer Center members conducting key research on mesothelioma

Key genes regulate breast, ovarian cancer cells