17 Dec 2020

HudsonAlpha cancer program receives gift for important equipment

According to the American Cancer Society, about 21,750 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020. It ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women.

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s cancer programs are committed to using genomic science and state-of-the-art technology to find new breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment. The lab of Faculty Investigator Sara Cooper, PhD, is focused on linking patients with a personalized treatment plan based upon their tumor’s own genetic fingerprint.

Dr. Cooper’s lab uses special equipment to study cancer cells, their abnormal growth and genetic code. Recently, the HudsonAlpha Foundation reached out to the community to help support the purchase of a centrifuge unit, which is an essential piece of equipment to do this work. The Lilies of the Valley Gynecologic Cancer Support & Awareness and the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope answered the call and funded a new centrifuge that will allow the Sara Cooper Lab to continue groundbreaking research in ovarian cancer.

“My lab uses genomic tools to identify the causes of drug resistance in ovarian and pancreatic cancers,” Cooper said. “This work requires the ability to grow cancer cells in the laboratory and test their resistance to chemotherapy drugs. The centrifuge that we received through this donation is essential to all work involving the growth of cancer cells in the lab. I am so thankful for this support!”

Thank you to everyone who supported this project that is allowing the research to continue. Click here to watch an interview with Dr. Cooper or click here to learn more about chemotherapy resistance.