2009 Lung Cancer Research Foundation Annual Grant Program
Christopher Bakkenist, PhD
University of Pittsburgh
Research Project:
Selective Destruction of Lung Cancer Cells with DNA Repair Inhibitors
Summary:
This proposal seeks to examine a DNA repair pathway which is not well studied in lung cancer, but is mutated in 14% of lung cancer patients. This enzyme defect is a variant of a common enzyme in many types of cells and is therefore thought to be a very significant determinate of why lung cancer cells are different from normal lung cells. The approach could lead to personalized medicine for these patients. Dr. Bakkenist is the recipient of the 2009 Scientific Merit Award.