Chan Lab

The Chan laboratory seeks to interrogate the molecular mechanisms that promote the oncogenesis and survival of cancer cells, with a particular focus on functional genomics and gastrointestinal cancers. In our laboratory, we bring together expertise in experimental/functional biology, genomics, and clinical medicine. We are engaged in numerous projects investigating the vulnerabilities that arise with molecular alterations commonly seen across cancers. These projects span biological disciplines including DNA damage repair, especially as it relates to WRN helicase and microsatellite instability (MSI), and efforts to exploit ribosomal stress in cancers. Our laboratory also employs advanced functional genomic techniques combined with classical cellular and molecular biological techniques and in vivo modeling to uncover genes critical to cancers. Our goal is to identify and exploit the mechanisms that promote oncogenesis and cancer cell survival, leveraging this knowledge to provide strong preclinical rationale for the development of novel therapeutics.  

Our laboratory also believes that our differences strengthen our science, allowing us to tackle problems from different angles. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and collaborative environment to advance our science and career objectives.