# Cancer Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2024 · $123,294

## Abstract

UWCCC CANCER GENETIC AND EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS PROGRAM SUMMARY
 Co-Leaders: Emery Bresnick and Wei Xu
Cancer arises from disruption of genome and epigenome structure and function. Understanding genetic and
epigenetic mechanisms and their aberrations will advance cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The
mission of the Cancer Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Program (GEM) is to discover human cancer genetic
and epigenetic mechanisms that enable translational science to improve cancer diagnosis, prevention, and
therapy. This document illustrates how GEM is vigorously advancing our mission and translating our discoveries
to clinical impact. Representative examples include elucidation of oncogenic mechanisms involving genetic
and/or epigenetic abnormalities, discovery and interpretation of genetic variants that confer cancer risk, and
innovation of enabling systems/tools. GEM mechanistic discoveries have yielded prospective therapeutic
targets, which are under evaluation via DT and WARF Therapeutics. Discoveries and translation are achieved
via frequent research and precision medicine meetings, pilot projects, leadership facilitation, and faculty
recruitment. The GEM program hosts 31 members from 15 departments, which includes basic/translational
scientists, clinicians, and data scientists. The GEM program is pursuing three specific aims focusing on cancer
types of importance in our catchment area.
Aim 1. Elucidate genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to generate translational avenues in oncology.
Aim 2. Utilize genetic/epigenetic discoveries to advance human clinical cancer genetics and precision medicine.
Aim 3. Innovate unique tools and systems to enable cancer genetic/epigenetic mechanism discovery and
translation.
GEM members obtained $1.9 million in NCI funding and $6.2 million in other cancer-relevant funding in the last
budget year and were highly productive, with 342 total and 125 high-impact (IF >10) publications during the last
funding period. Of these publications, 20% resulted from intra-programmatic collaborations, 45% from inter-
programmatic collaborations, and 47% from inter-institutional collaborations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10873027
- **Project number:** 5P30CA014520-50
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** Emery H. Bresnick
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $123,294
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-25 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10873027

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10873027, Cancer Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms (5P30CA014520-50). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10873027. Licensed CC0.

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