Beckman Research Institute recently announced the formation of a new Department of Cancer Biology. The new department replaces the Department of Biology, which now becomes a division within the new department, and also includes two former medical center divisions.
According to Richard Jove, Ph.D., director of Beckman Research Institute, the creation of the new Department of Cancer Biology further advances City of Hope’s strategic plan by focusing resources and by better positioning the comprehensive cancer center for successful renewal of its National Cancer Institute cancer center grant.
“Beckman Research Institute is committed to excellence and to advancing City of Hope’s mission,” said Jove. “A major objective of the strategic plan is the development of a center of excellence in cancer biology.”
 Gerd Pfeifer leads the new Department of Cancer Biology. (Photo by Walter Urie) |
Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D., Lester M. and Irene C. Finkelstein Chair in Biology, chairs the Department of Cancer Biology.
“This is an important milestone in City of Hope’s strategic plan and will greatly enhance our research efforts to understand cancer,” said Pfeifer.
Pfeifer, who joined City of Hope as a postdoctoral fellow in 1988, previously led the Department of Biology. He is internationally renowned for research that explores chemical changes that take place in the DNA of tumor cells. Most notably, his efforts helped identify the molecular link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.
The Division of Radiation Biology and the Division of Tumor Cell Biology, each formerly medical center divisions, now fall within the new Beckman Research Institute department. The Division of Tumor Cell Biology earlier was known as the Division of Surgical Research.
Leaders from the medical center and Beckman Research Institute recognize that bringing the divisions together into Beckman Research Institute integrates research across the organization, according to Jove.
“Doing so will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research and allow faculty holding primary positions in one entity — that is, Beckman Research Institute or the medical center — the opportunity to hold secondary positions in the other,” he said.
Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., retains his position as director of the Division of Tumor Cell Biology, while Bing Shen, Ph.D., continues as director of the Division of Radiation Biology.
Chen and Shen also serve as associate chairs of the new Department of Cancer Biology. Continuing on as associate chair in the new department is Judy Singer-Sam, Ph.D., who now serves as director of the Division of Biology.
“I think this is an exciting move,” said Chen. “I’m looking forward to the many new collaborative opportunities this will bring.”
Chen’s work focuses in large part on aromatase, a protein that makes estrogen and that plays a key role in breast cancer development. Drugs that inhibit aromatase are used to treat hormone-dependent breast cancers, which rely on estrogen to thrive.
Chen also is interested in chemoprevention, the use of drugs or agents to prevent cancer. His research into naturally occurring aromatase inhibitors found in grape seeds and mushrooms led to clinical trials at City of Hope.
Shen echoed Chen’s enthusiasm, noting: “We’ve made important progress, but I think the new department will enhance our ability to produce even more meaningful results in cancer biology.”
Shen studies DNA repair enzymes and their role in the formation of cancer. His work with the repair enzyme FEN-1 also has shown some implications for HIV/AIDS.
Said Jove: “The new Department of Cancer Biology will focus basic and translational research in this area at City of Hope into one cohesive unit, bringing further strength and forging new collaborations in cancer biology research.”