Cancer Biology

During the past 25 years, the understanding of the biology cancer has increased significantly with the discovery of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis and responses to hypoxia, and recent glimpses into the molecular basis of metastasis. With methods of analysis including gene expression arrays, protein arrays and tissue arrays cancer biology experts have begun to refine and redefine the taxonomy of cancer diagnosis. This simultaneous increase in both basic and clinical science has resulted in the development of the first successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on the knowledge of specific molecular targets.

The CSU Animal Cancer Center presents a unique environment to pursue interdisciplinary cancer research based on the spontaneous cancer model in the dog. The resources include the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Animal Cancer Center which are co-located and house 12 cancer dedicated laboratories. Cancer research experts from 12 different departments participate in teaching students and collaborative research.

The Animal Cancer Center has a Cancer Biology Laboratory, Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory and associated experts who work together on cancer biology related topics. In addition, the first Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program in a veterinary teaching institution is at Colorado State University.