The Future of Cancer: Driven by Genomic Discovery
At HudsonAlpha, we use the power of genomics to uncover genetic blueprints of cancer, creating a future where diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are personalized and precise.
Cancer is a disease of the genome. It begins when mutations and changes in gene activity disrupt normal cell behavior. But no two cancers are the same; each tumor carries its own unique genetic fingerprint. This complexity makes the disease difficult to predict, prevent, and treat, leaving patients and families with uncertainty.
HudsonAlpha brings together world-class scientists, advanced genomic technologies, and clinical collaborations to accelerate cancer research and discovery.
Our researchers are applying cutting-edge tools to:
Identify Genetic Risk Factors
Whole-genome sequencing and gene expression analysis uncover genetic drivers that other tests may miss.
Track Tumor Evolution
CRISPR-based functional studies reveal how mutations influence tumor growth and therapy response.
Personalized Genetics
Clinical collaborations translate discoveries into real-world applications for patients by matching patients’ unique genetic profiles to therapies designed for them.
Our genomics research is driving tangible progress in understanding and combating cancer. Here’s a glimpse into a few of our leading initiatives:
Why do some cancers run in families?
Decoding the unexplained to discover new cancer risk genes
Many cancers run in families, yet standard genetic tests often fail to identify a known cause. HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Sara Cooper, PhD, is working to change that. By analyzing the entire genome and not just the commonly tested genes, her lab is uncovering new cancer risk genes that may explain cancer risk in families with a history of the disease.
Through a partnership with Clearview Cancer Institute, Dr. Cooper’s team performed whole-genome sequencing on individuals with strong family histories of cancer but no known genetic mutations. While initial analysis focused on rare coding variants, the researchers quickly expanded their investigation to explore non-coding regions—parts of the genome that influence gene expression and regulation. This research pushes the boundaries of what we know, with the goal of giving families more answers and more options.
Why does chemotherapy stop working?
Understanding and Overcoming Chemotherapy Resistance
For some cancer patients, a treatment that initially shrinks their tumors stops working over time. This challenge, known as chemotherapy resistance, leads to poorer outcomes, especially in aggressive cancers like those that affect the pancreas and ovaries. By identifying the genetic factors that drive this resistance, Dr. Cooper’s lab is helping to shape the future of more durable, personalized therapies.
Her team employs CRISPR gene-editing tools to study the role of individual genes in how cancer cells respond to treatment. This approach has already revealed genetic variants, such as a mutation in the ANGPTL4 gene, that shield cancer cells from chemotherapy. With those insights, the lab is now expanding its research to identify resistance-related genes in ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on the relationships between tumor cells and the immune system.
HudsonAlpha’s cancer research is transforming how we understand, detect, and treat the disease. By decoding cancer at the genomic level, we’re helping bring more personalized options those dealing with cancer.