Cancer Signaling, Genomes, and Networks (SGN)

The Cancer Signaling, Genomes, and Networks (SGN) Research Program fosters the exchange of ideas, cooperation, interdisciplinary collaborations, and acceleration of progress along the translational continuum from basic mechanisms of cancer biology to target discovery, validation, and clinical application. The goals of Program are to:

  • Discover mechanisms underlying the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer types relevant nationally and to the patients in our catchment area
  • Identify pathways, molecular targets, and mechanisms of action of anti-cancer treatments
  • Develop and accelerate innovative genetic, molecular, and computational approaches to cancer research to maximize the benefit to human health

Our program is a nexus for basic scientists, translational scientists, and clinicians with interests in cancer biology and the development of improved treatments and diagnostics. By stimulating interaction and collaboration between investigators across the spectrum from the laboratory to clinic, the Program drives bi-directional translation of cancer research.

Our leaders are integral members of the Dartmouth Cancer Center Early-Phase Trials Program (EPTP), which provides a path for movement of Dartmouth-initiated laboratory findings from all Dartmouth Cancer Center Research Programs to the clinic; thus, the Program plays a critical role in the development of investigator-initiated clinical studies. Through partnership with laboratory investigators, physician-researchers that are members of the Cancer SGN Research Program promote the reverse translation of clinical observations back to the laboratory for detailed study. The Cancer SGN Research Program provides a forum to develop and highlight the relevance of innovative model systems and/or Shared Resource services to gain mechanistic insights into the natural history of cancers and therapeutic results.

Program Co-Directors:
Konstantin H. Dragnev, MD, Co-Director
Arminja Kettenbach, PhD, Co-Director

Program themes

The Cancer SGN Research Program members are organized by their association with one or more scientific research themes; translation along the continuum from basic research to clinical trials occurs throughout each theme.

  • Cancer cell biology and biochemistry
  • Cancer genomics and computational oncology
  • Translational oncology