The laboratory’s goal is to enhance our understanding of the causes of human cancer. We are investigating the biological effects of solar UV radiation, cigarette smoke carcinogens, and mutagenic food components as possible causes of human cancer. The focus has been on human skin cancers, including melanomas, and on lung cancer caused by tobacco smoking. Our goal is to determine the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the formation of genetic changes (mutations) and epigenetic changes (for example DNA methylation events) in human cancer-relevant genes. We try to understand how these genetic and epigenetic changes that initially occur in the genome of normal cells eventually lead to malignancy. Methods are developed, based on DNA methylation signatures that occur during early stages of cancer progression and can be used as diagnostic tools for the early detection of cancer.

Ahmad Besaratinia Assistant Research Scientist ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 65918 fax 626-358-7703 ania@coh.org	Limin Liu Research Fellow ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 62342 fax 626-358-7703 lliu@coh.org
Cai Guo Graduate Student ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 65926 fax 626-358-7703 cguo@coh.org	Stella Tommasi Associate Research Scientist ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 63694 fax 626-358-7703 stommasi@coh.org
Seung-Gi Jin Graduate Student ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 65926 fax 626-358-7703 sjin@coh.org	Xueyan Zhong Research Associate I ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 62508 fax 626-358-7703 xzhong@coh.org
Sang-In Kim Research Associate I ph 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 62342 fax 626-358-7703 skim@coh.org

Address
Beckman Research Institute
Department of Cancer Biology
Lippman-Graff Bldg.
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010-3000

Facsimile
626-358-7703


Gerd Pfeifer, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Rm. 129
Tel: 626-301-8853
Email: gpfeifer@coh.org

Luz German
Senior Secretary
Rm. B-115
Tel: 626-256-4673, ext. 63313
Email: lgerman@coh.org

Yvonne Bobadilla
Administrative Manager II
Rm. 99
Tel: 626-256-4673, ext. 63324
Email: ybobadilla@coh.org