About the Technology Innovation Fund
Personalized Medicine Research Initiative
The genetic language of cancer represents one of nature’s most complex codes. To help break this biologic cipher, Dana-Farber researchers have developed sophisticated genomic techniques to identify which genes play an essential role in causing cancer and are rapidly developing new chemical compounds to eradicate those cancers.
This genomic revolution and the concept of personalized medicine are converging to change the entire structure of how cancer care is delivered. Currently, cancer doctors everywhere have the capability of testing cancers for a few specific genetic mutations, but by and large, cancers are diagnosed by anatomical location.
Dana-Farber however, has developed a technology, called Onco Map to test tumors for genetic alterations against 99% of all known cancer mutations. By generating this "blueprint" of each individual patient tumor, Dana-Farber doctors will be more able to design treatment plans based specifically on the precise malfunctions of cancer of every single patient.
Next Generation Deep Sequencing: A Transforming New Initiative in Personalized Medicine
Entrepreneurial physician-scientists in the Institute’s Center for Cancer Genome Discovery are eager to build on OncoMap technology to develop the next generation of deep sequencing technology that will move us beyond the analysis of the 1000 known cancer –causing mutations towards a complete and simultaneous analysis of all cancer causing mutations. This is a thrilling new initiative that will expand, by orders of magnitude, our ability to personalize treatments for all cancer patients. Our goal is to implement a dedicated initiative to develop fully and exploit this magnificent opportunity that will provide:
The genetic language of cancer represents one of nature’s most complex codes. To help break this biologic cipher, Dana-Farber researchers have developed sophisticated genomic techniques to identify which genes play an essential role in causing cancer and are rapidly developing new chemical compounds to eradicate those cancers.
This genomic revolution and the concept of personalized medicine are converging to change the entire structure of how cancer care is delivered. Currently, cancer doctors everywhere have the capability of testing cancers for a few specific genetic mutations, but by and large, cancers are diagnosed by anatomical location.
Dana-Farber however, has developed a technology, called Onco Map to test tumors for genetic alterations against 99% of all known cancer mutations. By generating this "blueprint" of each individual patient tumor, Dana-Farber doctors will be more able to design treatment plans based specifically on the precise malfunctions of cancer of every single patient.
Next Generation Deep Sequencing: A Transforming New Initiative in Personalized Medicine
Entrepreneurial physician-scientists in the Institute’s Center for Cancer Genome Discovery are eager to build on OncoMap technology to develop the next generation of deep sequencing technology that will move us beyond the analysis of the 1000 known cancer –causing mutations towards a complete and simultaneous analysis of all cancer causing mutations. This is a thrilling new initiative that will expand, by orders of magnitude, our ability to personalize treatments for all cancer patients. Our goal is to implement a dedicated initiative to develop fully and exploit this magnificent opportunity that will provide:
- Spectacular new insights into the molecular networks of patient tumors
- Critical new information to enable physician-scientists to fine-tune the delivery of personalized medicine
- Profound new understanding of resistance and relapse and how to treat it more effectively