Alexander Bick, M.D., Ph.D.

Rubriques

Alexander Bick, M.D., Ph.D.
Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Medicine
Institution
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Address
2200 Pierce Ave., RRB 550
City, State, ZIP
Nashville, TN 37232
Phone
615-936-9296
Email
[email protected]
Website
https://www.bicklab.org/
Research field
Cancer Genomics
Award year
2022

Research

The Bick lab will develop an algorithm to determine why and how only a small subset of pre-cancerous cells drive the development of blood cancers. Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to a repertoire of different blood cell types in our body. As people age, a process known as clonal hematopoiesis (CH) can occur, where hematopoietic stem cells acquire mutations and begin making a substantial portion of blood cells with that particular mutation or mutations. These blood cells have the potential to progress to blood cancers, yet not all experience this outcome, a phenomenon that we seek to understand. Previously, the lab identified certain mutations that seem to “drive” CH. Now, the lab will use state-of the-art genomic techniques and computational biology to identify CH in 1 million individuals and characterize the mechanisms that allow hematopoietic stem cells to rapidly expand in number and become cancer-causing. Work from my lab could have significant impact on early intervention strategies toward cancer and identify individuals who are most at risk for developing malignant disease.

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