Exterior of Beckman Research Institute Building

Departments & Centers

Every department of Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope includes internationally acclaimed scientists and support staff who are among the best in their fields, pursuing a diverse range of research. The result is a history of breakthrough innovations helping patients globally, with even more to come in the years ahead.

Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine

Studies here advance translational medicine through breakthroughs in cancer biology using animal models, biomedical informatics, chemical biology and genomic approaches.

Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

Studies here are focused on discovering the fundamental mechanisms of DNA replication and DNA damage repair during cell growth.

Comparative Medicine

Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope leads the world in biomedical research, and whenever possible, our researchers use alternative methods to animal models, such as cell and tissue culture and computer simulation. However, in many circumstances, the responsible and limited use of animals is necessary for the discovery of new therapies.

Computational and Quantitative Medicine

The Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine within the Beckman Research Institute was created to integrate various aspects of computational medicine. It is charged with building cross-disciplinary collaborations and developing better diagnostic tools, improved personalized therapies, and more efficient clinical trials, consistent with the mission of City of Hope.

Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science

The focus of the Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science is to improve the understanding of leukemia stem cells in order to develop cures for leukemia and other hematologic malignancies.

Immuno-Oncology

Researchers in the Department of Immuno-Oncology are pioneering medical science that harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. They intend to move immunotherapy forward to the front lines by making it a highly effective primary treatment option, capable of producing more powerful, less toxic cures.

Integrative Translational Sciences

The Department of Integrative Translational Sciences at City of Hope is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of biologists, data scientists, engineers, chemists and clinicians working together to enhance City of Hope’s mission to bring innovative treatments to patients with serious diseases and conditions.

Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics

The molecular diagnostics and experimental therapeutics research program has a broad research focus on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of human gastrointestinal cancers and its relationship to early detection of cancer, cancer prevention and cancer therapeutics.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

The mission of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope^® is to advance science and medicine in the fields of aging, neurological disorders and brain cancer.

Population Sciences

Researchers across multiple divisions are targeting what causes cancer, how to prevent people from getting cancer, and how to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine

The mission of the Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine is to harness the power of stem cells to battle cancer, aging, and tissue degeneration. Research in the department spans from understanding the fundamental processes of organs’ development to the development of new therapies and clinical trials.

Systems Biology

The Department of Systems Biology aims to understand the complex biological systems involved in signal transduction and in the transcriptional, epigenetic and metabolic regulation of hematological malignancies, leukemia and lymphoma.

Beckman at a Glance

Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope was the first of five Beckman Institutes to be founded, and has held a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant for over 30 years.

Encompassing over 60 years of expertise in basic science, Beckman Research Institute also houses research done at City of Hope prior to the establishment of the institute by Arnold and Mabel Beckman in 1983.

Its world-renowned faculty and investigators are revolutionizing the treatment of life-threatening diseases, creating miracles of medical science.

Research areas include diabetes progression and treatment, immunology and imaging, interfering RNAs and HIV treatment, total synthesis of complex and therapeutic natural products, mechanisms of drug action, neurogenesis, stem cell therapy, DNA repair and radiation, and the immunobiology of viral infection.

Investigating the biology, biological chemistry, and pathology of cancer and diabetes, our researchers have also explored the emerging links between the diseases. By identifying opportunities at the cellular and molecular level, they continue developing breakthrough approaches for predicting, preventing, diagnosing, treating and curing these and other serious diseases.

Through constant collaboration and interaction between Beckman Research Institute programs, and those found within City of Hope's NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, our researchers and clinicians are maximizing the benefits our research is able to deliver.

Leadership

Recognized nationwide for its innovative biomedical research, the institute is home to some of the most tenacious and creative minds in science.

Scientific leadership & administration

Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences

Beckman Research Institute houses the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences. The school offers M.S. degree in translational medicine and Ph.D. degree in biological sciences.

Explore programs

Research Events & Seminars

City of Hope hosts ongoing events & seminars, both online and throughout Southern California, addressing key issues in our scientific and research-focused work in the areas of cancer prevention, cell- and immune-based therapies, clinical trials, community outreach, diabetes, drug discovery, oncology, outcomes and community outreach, and precision medicine.

View calendar