Brock Lab
Our lab investigates the role of heterogeneity in cell state transitions, cancer progression, and therapeutic responses.
Our Focus
Drug resistance of tumor cells is the cause of treatment failure for most human cancers. Acquired resistance was observed in the very first trial of a chemotherapeutic in 1942. Since that time, vast improvements in chemotherapy- including novel drugs, combination therapies, reduced toxicity, and highly targeted treatments- have extended the lives of many cancer patients. Yet drug resistance remains a major scientific and clinical challenge in the treatment of human cancer. Tumor cell populations are characterized by enormous heterogeneity and plasticity. This variation contributes to disease progression and response to therapy, although the mechanisms are not yet well understood. To address these challenges, we are developing novel technologies and experimental systems rooted in the tools of systems and synthetic biology and bioengineering. |
Lab News
12/2021 We welcome three new PhD students to the lab! We are happy to have Michael Cotner, Sarah Meng, and Kennedy Howland join us! 9/2021 Congratulations to Eric Brenner on the successful defense of his PhD!! 4/2020 Congratulations to Kaitlyn on the defense of her PhD!! More than 70 colleagues from across the US joined us for her virtual thesis seminar. 2/14/2020 Amy receives tenure and will be promoted to Associate Professor (effective 9/2020)! |