Yale Bulletin and Calendar

November 22-December 6, 1999

Volume 28, Number 14

DNA technology may help
pinpoint causes of cancer

The Yale Cancer Center (YCC) is launching a DNA microarray sequencing facility that will offer state-of-the-art biotechnological analyses for scientists studying the molecular causes of cancer.

DNA microarrays provide a powerful and rapidly evolving technology that will enable scientists to assess changes in the level of expression of a large subset of the 100,000 human genes on a scale unattainable by other methods.

This technique can quickly produce a snapshot of the genes that are active in a tumor cell, which provides critical information in pinpointing the precise molecular causes of a cancer.

"Our new facility will help to ensure that this important new technology is widely available to the cancer research community, and that the technology's tremendous potential is rapidly realized by applying it to a broad spectrum of critical problems in cancer research," says Dr. Vincent T. DeVita Jr., director of the Yale Cancer Center.

The DNA Microarray Shared Resource will also support the work of scientists involved in a new National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiative, "The Director's Challenge: Toward a Molecular Classification of Tumors." The five-year project aims for the first time to define tumor cells based on their unique molecular changes -- information that promises to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

A $249,000 supplement to the YCC Support Grant from the NCI will help fund instrumentation for the new facility, which will be jointly operated by the YCC and the HHMI Biopolymer/W.M. Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory.

The new resource center will be co-directed by Kenneth Williams, professor (adjunct) and researcher in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at the School of Medicine and a senior associate of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Dr. Archibald Perkins, associate professor of pathology and of molecular, cellular and developmental biology. It will be managed by Janet Hager, research associate in biotechnical services.

A preliminary set of DNA arrays have been made already and work is in progress to make this resource fully operational. Additional information and continuing updates on progress is available on the Web at http://info.med.yale.edu/Yale Cancer Center/array.html.

The YCC is one of a select network of comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the NCI and the only one in southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and the School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach and education.

The Cancer Information Service, a YCC program funded by the NCI, provides up-to-date information on cancer prevention, detection and treatment. Trained cancer information specialists are available to answer questions Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-
422-6237).

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale unveils new TV studio

National Building Museum pays double tribute to Scully

YSN students to learn about life with few resources

Media's quest for truth vital to U.S. society, says Thomas

Endowed Professorships

Ex-senator to discuss search for security in a 'fragmented century'

Yale Rep offers up 'A Cup of Coffee' by noted filmmaker

Peabody's mobile BioAction Lab inspires young 'scientists'

Holiday gift ideas galore available at campus shops

YALE CANCER CENTER NEWS
Symposium honors work of pioneering Yale researcher

Series to focus on compassionate patient care

DNA technology may help pinpoint causes of cancer

Center joins effort to create tests for early signs of cancer

Whiffenpoofs celebrate 90th anniversary

New technique for recording activity inside cells may offer insights into diseases . . .

Yale team is first to turn carbon dioxide into gel form

Astronomy sponsors its first reunion

Donaghue grants to support studies on women's health

Scientists' work may lead to creation of smaller, less costly computers

Student is now big Elm City fan, thanks to internship

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck and his quartet to perform

Miracle play reveals medieval views about St. Nicholas

Harshav to be honored

Two Yale scholars are honored with book prizes from the American Studies Association

Morgan's work featured in annual crafts show

. . In the News . . .