Uncovering functional mechanisms in cancer through integrative genomics

The genome has been called the blueprint of life for it encodes a complete set of genetic instructions that specify the precise design and timing of functional molecules (such as RNAs and proteins) responsible for carrying out all cellular processes. In recent years, the human genome, comprised of approximately 3 billion nucleotide base pairs, has been decoded and determined to encode approximately 30,000 genes. This detailed genetic information has enabled the creation of advanced genomic technologies such as DNA microarrays that interrogate the structural and transcriptional dynamics of the genome on a comprehensive scale. However, the computational analysis of the output of genome-scale investigations has not been readily intuitive or subject to standardization. In this work, we have focused on the applications of genomic technologies towards the elucidation of cancer-related biomechanisms. From the development and coupling of analytical methodology and experimental design, to the prediction of genomic alterations from transcriptional measurements, this thesis describes a body of work aimed at extracting new fundamental insights into the pathobiology of cancer. Our genome-centric strategies and resulting cancer discoveries are presented.

Author dc:creator

• BANGARUSAMY DHINOTH KUMAR

• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Cholesterol metabolism, Cancer, Thy1, Lipid biosynthesis, Steroid metabolism