Redefining Cancer Risk Assessment Using Duplex Sequencing

The current gold standard to assess cancer risk of chemicals and other consumer products is the 2-year rodent cancer bioassay, which is time-consuming, expensive, and does a poor job at predicting the potential for cancer in humans. DupSeq is a cutting-edge, ultra-precise genetic analysis tool that can identify subtle changes in DNA, providing more comprehensive insights into potential cancer risks. Our ultimate goal is to make DupSeq the gold standard for cancer risk assessment globally. To achieve this, our project collaborates with partners from different sectors within the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute. We are collecting data to establish methods and optimize DupSeq’s performance for regulatory testing of chemicals and drugs. We will also develop computational tools to streamline DupSeq data analysis. Once methods are refined, we will use DupSeq to investigate real-world applications by examining how a complex chemical mixture found in the environment impacts mice when exposed before birth. This is pivotal because there is an urgent need to fill current knowledge gaps regarding cancer risks from prenatal exposures. By addressing these uncertainties, our project aspires to revolutionize cancer risk assessment globally, making DupSeq an indispensable tool for quickly and affordably ensuring public safety.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carole Yauk;Francesco Marchetti

Student:

Partner:

TwinStrand Biosciences;Charles River Laboratories;HESI

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ottawa

Program:

Elevate

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