Genome Science Department Takes New Name

CINCINNATI—The genome science department—a University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine unit located at UC's Genome Research Institute—has changed its name to better reflect the department's research focus.

The new name, department of molecular oncogenesis, was approved by the UC Board of Trustees at its Nov. 27, 2007, meeting and became effective Dec. 1, 2007.

Jorge Moscat, PhD, professor and interim chair of molecular oncogenesis, says the department will continue to focus on the roles of specific disease pathways, oncogenes (genes that can transform normal cells into cancerous ones), growth factors, the cellular "microenvironment" and tumor development and progression.

"This name change makes clear the connection between our department and the College of Medicine's efforts to expand its cancer research initiatives," says Moscat. "But although cancer is a unifying theme for molecular oncogenesis faculty, cancer-causing pathways and genes are also involved in many other diseases including asthma and diabetes. Researchers in our department will continue to study these diseases as well."

The department of molecular oncogenesis at UC's Genome Research Institute is part of a joint cancer program involving the UC College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University Hospital. The collaborative initiative brings together interdisciplinary research teams of caring scientists and health professionals to research and develop new cures, while providing a continuum of care for children, adults and families with cancer.