Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics

Cancer is a genetic disease, meaning it is caused by alterations in genes that control how our cells behave, particularly how they divide and grow. Cancer-causing genetic mutations can also be acquired over one's lifespan as a result of cell division errors or exposure to carcinogens that damage DNA, such as some chemicals in tobacco smoke, and radiation, like UV rays from the sun.

Comparative genomics is a branch of science that compares the genome sequences of different species, including humans, mice, and a wide range of other animals from bacteria to primates. Researchers can learn what characterizes different life forms at the molecular level by comparing the sequences of genomes from different creatures.

The Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics aims to discover and investigate genes that influence cancer susceptibility and progression. Comparative genomics is also a useful technique for researching evolutionary changes in organisms, as it aids in the identifying of genes that are conserved or shared across species, as well as genes that give each organism its own distinct traits.

• Tumorigenesis
• Somatic genomic alterations
• Sporadic tumors
• Hereditary Cancer Syndromes