Functional Genomics
Overview
The Functional Genomics core capitalizes on the vast wealth of data produced by genomic and transcriptomic projects to define genes, proteins and pathways mediating treatment resistance. Using validated models that recapitulate human biology, the core develops and tests pre-clinical treatment strategies for prostate cancer.
On this page:
Functional Genomics Overview / Expertise and Services
Expertise and Services
Expertise
Our Functional Genomics core has proven expertise in designing experiments to develop and test pre-clinical treatment strategies using validated models that recapitulate human biology. Model systems are used for validation of novel therapeutics designed to target genetic and molecular aberrations associated with aggressive prostate cancer that are identified using next-generation sequencing in human tumour and circulating free DNA samples.
Services
The Functional Genomics Core provides valuable tools with high clinical relevance for studying the molecular and cellular development and progression of prostate cancer, including:
- Rapid and comprehensive evaluation of novel small molecules and biologics in preclinical model systems including:
- Cytotoxicity assays
- Clonogenic assays
- Biomarker assays (established or novel)
- Drug-target and off-target interaction assays
- Drug-drug interactions
- in vitro and in vivo tumour cell lines
- An existing variety of cell lines and models (xenograft and transgenic) including:
- models for disease progression from androgen dependent to castrate resistant prostate cancer
- tumors/cells resistant to newly approved AR antagonist enzalutamide
- novel first-in-field neuroendocrine trans-differentiation patient-derived xenografts
- Fully functioning suites for the generation and analysis of xenografts, transgenics and PDXs
- Liquid nitrogen tanks for storage of patient and PDX tissue
- Preparation and in vivo application of gene targeting techniques to test pre-clinical efficacy of novel anti-cancer agents, including:
- antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs, siRNA)
- novel small molecule or antibody inhibitors
- novel combination therapies
- Viral delivery for gain-of-function analyses
- Antisense/RNAi/CRISPR-Cas9 technology for loss-of-function analyses
The Living Tumour Laboratory
The Living Tumor Lab is a unique and valuable resource, which grows a wide variety of patient-derived cancer tissues, including both low and high-grade solid cancers. This work enables researchers to readily study human cancer tissue in vivo, and develop a variety of transplantable tumour tissue lines that can be used as models for studying cancer growth/progression/metastasis and drug sensitivity.
For more information visit www.livingtumorlab.com
Functional Genomics Overview / Functional Genomics Contacts
Functional Genomics Contacts
Dr. Amina Zoubeidi
Head, Functional Genomics
Email: Click here to contact Dr. Zoubeidi
View bio for Dr. Amina Zoubeidi
Dr. YZ Wang
Living Tumour Laboratory
Tel: 604-875-4111 ext. 69462
Email: Click here to contact the Living Tumour Lab
View bio for Dr. YZ Wang