Research at Fox Chase »Postdoctoral Research Program »Fellowships and Openings

Lecture 1: "Hereditary Aspects of Human Cancer" by Warren Kruger, PhD

Topics: Discussion of important tenets in hereditary cancer and principles of linkage analysis. Pedigrees of high-risk cancer families will be evaluated to demonstrate basic aspects of dominant and recessive modes of inheritance and cancer susceptibility.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of this module, the trainee will have a basic understanding of hereditary cancer, the principles of linkage analysis, and be able to analyze a typical cancer pedigree.

Lecture 2: "Somatic Cell Changes in Human Cancer" by Joseph Testa, PhD

Topics: Overview of specific recurrent chromosome rearrangements associated with the development of certain hematological malignancies and sarcomas and somatic genetic changes, such as chromosomal deletions, associated with the progression of carcinomas. In addition, basic principles necessary for functional analysis of cancer genes, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of these discussions/presentations, the trainee will have a basic understanding of both hereditary and somatic genetic aspects of cancer biology. Trainees will gain familiarity with modern genetic techniques [e.g., genomic and cDNA microarrays, laser capture microdissection technique,computerized genetic databases, linkage analysis, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods] with which to identify genomic changes associated with the cause and progression of human cancer.