Genome and Epigenome Integrity In Cancer

This proposal seeks support for predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows focused on genome and epigenome integrity in cancer. Two fundamental processes that drive cancer development are genetic mutations (genome instability) and epigenome reprogramming (epigenome instability). Historically, genome and epigenome integrity have been studied as separate disciplines. Scientifically, however, the genome and epigenome integrity are inherently connected by chromatin, an organized complex of DNA, protein and RNA. Therefore, there is a growing need for future scientists who can bridge these two disciplines to advance cancer research in a paradigm-shifting way. Recently, Columbia University has emerged as a leading institution for research and education in genome and epigenome integrity in cancer. Therefore, we propose to create the nation’s first Genome and Epigenome Integrity in Cancer (GEIC) Training Program to foster next generation scientists in these two interconnected disciplines of cancer research. To do so, we will leverage the expertise of our faculty, state-of-the-art resources at Columbia University and exceptional support from the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). The GEIC Program will be administered by two co-PIs with complementary scientific expertise in genome and epigenome integrity in cancer. The co-PIs will be advised by an Executive Committee and an Advisory Board. Program evaluation will be solicited from the Executive Committee and Advisory Board members, as well as annual anonymous surveys of trainees and mentors. The HICCC will also provide substantial support to the GEIC program by funding an additional slot for five years. The GEIC predoctoral trainees will be selected from students enrolled in the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences who have completed the first-year of graduate studies and entered a GEIC laboratory to pursue their Ph.D. dissertation research in the areas of genome and epigenome integrity in cancer. Postdoctoral fellows will be selected from two sources, internal and external. Internal trainees will be selected from applicants already embarking on postdoctoral studies in the laboratories of GEIC Program Faculty. In addition, to increase the pool of outstanding postdoctoral applicants, as well as the diversity of our trainees, the GEIC Program will aggressively recruit external postdoctoral applicants. Each trainee is required to develop an individual training plan approved by the Program directors and Executive Committee and to participate in GEIC program organized/specified training activities. Progress in these training activities will be evaluated by the Program Directors, along with the Executive Committee and Advisory Board, before renewal of second year support. Finally, the Diversity Enhancement Committee will work with Program Directors to actively recruit underrepresented minority (URM) to the GEIC Program, with the goal of 25% GEIC trainees being URMs. We expect that the GEIC Training Program will foster next generation of scientists with diverse backgrounds specialized in genome and epigenome integrity in cancer.