Characterising the molecular changes that underpin the progression and pathogenesis of cancer.

Our Focus

Through the use of cutting edge technologies, Molecular Oncology (MO) aims to identify genes involved in the development of cancer, quickly and accurately.

MO's researchers combine diverse techniques, ranging from genomics, computational biology, tumour imaging, in vitro and in vivo functional models, to study biological and clinical phenotypes. The proteins produced by these genes may serve as targets for novel chemotherapy drugs and other cancer treatments, or imaging scans. MO uses these combined techniques to validate the role of the novel candidate genes in the development of cancer; with an eye towards translating findings into improved treatment options for cancer patients around the world.

News & Events

Drug discovery could prevent spread of childhood bone cancer

Despite decades of advancement in treatment, cancer spreading to multiple parts of the body remains one of the biggest challenges facing patients and their health care teams.

This is particularly true for osteosarcoma, the most common bone cancer in children and teenagers. While survival rates are approximately 70 per cent for people with localized disease, there is a high risk of metastatic spread to the lungs, after which the odds of survival fall dramatically to 20 per cent or less.

Dr. Haifeng Zhang receives young independent investigator grant from the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research

Dr. Haifeng Zhang (Molecular Oncology), with the support of Dr. Poul Sorensen as mentor, received a young independent investigator grant from the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally). 

The award is tied to a project titled, “Immunotherapeutic targeting of IL1RAP in rare pediatric cancers.”

Rally helps fund all levels of promising research initiatives, from science at the bench to translational, and includes fellows, young investigators and independent investigators.

Congratulations to Dr. Zhang on this achievement! 

Dr. Poul Sorensen receives St. Baldrick’s Foundation grant for pediatric Ewing sarcoma research

Dr. Poul Sorensen (Molecular Oncology), with co-investigator Dr. Wei Li (University of Pittsburgh), has been awarded with a pediatric Ewing sarcoma research grant from St. Baldrick's Foundation. 

The Martha’s Better Ewing Sarcoma Treatment (BEST) Grant for All, named after a remarkable teenager who was fighting Ewing sarcoma and passed away in 2022, was awarded to Dr. Sorensen and Dr. Li for a project titled, "Better Ewing Sarcoma Treatment."

Research Labs

Recent Publications

Class I HDAC inhibitors enhance YB-1 acetylation and oxidative stress to block sarcoma metastasis.

EMBO reports, 2019
El-Naggar, Amal M, Somasekharan, Syam Prakash, Wang, Yemin, Cheng, Hongwei, Negri, Gian Luca, Pan, Melvin, Wang, Xue Qi, Delaidelli, Alberto, Rafn, Bo, Cran, Jordan, Zhang, Fan, Zhang, Haifeng, Colborne, Shane, Gleave, Martin, Mandinova, Anna, Kedersha, Nancy, Hughes, Christopher S, Surdez, Didier, Delattre, Olivier, Wang, Yuzhuo, Huntsman, David G, Morin, Gregg B, Sorensen, Poul H
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