Cancer Cell Biology Research Program

ABSTRACT: CANCER CELL BIOLOGY PROGRAM
The overarching goals of the Cancer Cell Biology (CCB) Program are: (i) to understand, at the molecular and
cellular levels, mechanisms underlying tumor initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to therapeutic
treatment, and (ii) to identify and validate new targets for cancer therapy. Insight derived from these studies,
when integrated with research and development from other programs, will provide targets and guidance for the
development of strategies for therapeutic intervention of cancer. Toward these two goals, the Program faculty
investigate various aspects of cancer cell biology, including growth factors and receptors; angiogenesis and
vascular biology; apoptosis; cell cycle regulation; chromatin biochemistry and transcriptional regulation; cell
microstructure and function; DNA replication and repair; metabolism; regulatory RNA; and signal transduction.
Led by two co-leaders with complementary expertise, Yue Xiong and James Bear, the program organizes
these different areas into four major research aims: (1) Cell Cycle, (2) Cell Signaling, (3) Cell Movement and
Organization, and (4) Chromatin Biology. The major emphasis of the Program is to foster integrated research
that spans these inter-related themes, enhancing the research and translational capabilities of program
investigators through the establishment, expansion and utilization of appropriate core facilities, and promoting
interactions with investigators from other LCCC basic, clinical and population sciences programs. CCB has
made concerted and focused efforts to improve translational output, by fostering inter-programmatic
collaboration directed towards translation of basic science discoveries, engaging in entrepreneurship and
brining small molecule inhibitors to pre-clinical and clinical trials. The research of CCB addresses fundamental
biology that applies to all cancers but has a particular impact on cancers relevant to our catchment area such
as multiple myeloma, lung cancer and melanoma. In addition, members of CCB have been active in
community outreach and engagement activities such as advising state legislators on e-cigarette regulation.
Finally, the members of CCB are fully committed to education, training and mentoring at levels ranging from
middle schoolers through junior faculty at our own institution.
The Cancer Cell Biology Program consists of 43 members who are associated with 12 basic science and 3
clinical departments at UNC-Chapel Hill and affiliated institutions. During the last funding period, program
members published 740 cancer-related articles. Of these, 23% were inter-programmatic and 10% were intra-
programmatic (31% collaborative). In 2019, our program members held grants totaling $18.2M (direct cost) in
cancer-relevant extramural funding, including $3.5M (direct costs) from the NCI and $13.6M other peer.

Grant Number: 4P30CA016086-50
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: JAMES BEAR