DR-022 Comprehensive analysis of mutational signatures in metastatic cancers

The DNA in normal – and tumor cells are continuously exposed to internal and external challenges. The objective of this project is to computationally derive specific footprints (signatures) that are left in the tumor genomes. Previous work has shown that environmental challenges like UV radiation and smoking leave very characteristic patterns, as well as intrinsic process like DNA repair deficiencies. Such knowledge is of importance for cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Serena Nik-Zainal University of Cambridge United Kingdom