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Advancing Technologies for Genetic Researc

The central core of the Prostate Cancer Genetics Project is our research laboratory where our researchers process and examine DNA donated by our participants. The DNA is obtained from white cells in the blood samples that we collect from men with prostate cancer and their family members. Human DNA contains approximately 25,000 genes which direct the many functions of the human body. We suspect that one or more of these genes contains an abnormality or mutation that contributes to the development of prostate cancer in certain individuals. Although much of our lab work is very technical, it essentially involves tracking patterns (insertions, deletions or changes in nucleotide base pairs) in DNA sequences suspected to be involved in prostate cancer. By comparing sequence information obtained from families with multiple cases of prostate cancer, we are homing in on regions of the genome that may contain a prostate cancer susceptibility gene. Our work to date suggests that there will be more than one gene that increases the risk of prostate cancer which clearly makes our work more complicated!

Due in large part to the development of high throughput capillary electrophoresis sequencers and the use of fluorescent labels for DNA molecules, genetic research is much faster and much safer. Unfortunately, these genetic analyzers are very expensive (usually over $100,000!) and are often not covered by federal research grants. We were fortunate to acquire an Applied Biosystems ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer nearly 10 years ago and our research achievements have been remarkably enhanced by this purchase. We also have access to an Applied Biosystems 7900HT Real-Time PCR System through our membership in the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. This particular system allows us to study 384 samples at one time! Although we can now study many more samples with this new equipment, the cost of supplies to support these analyses continues to increase. We currently rely primarily on federal research grants to support our studies.

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Welcome is published by the Prostate Cancer Genetics Project

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Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0946
Phone: 734-936-2031 or 800-723-9170
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Articles by:
Caroline Mohai, Alicia M. Mastronardi, Bronwen A. Halstead-Nussloch, Kimberly A. Zuhlke, Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, MPH, PhD, Kathleen A. Cooney, MD

Special thanks to: Lisa Robbins

Editor: Caroline E. Mohai

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University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

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