USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Epigenetic Regulation in Cancer (ERC) Program, formerly named the Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation Program, focuses on the mechanisms by which cellular genomes, epigenomes, genes, and pathways are maintained and regulated, and how normal regulation is disrupted in cancer. The overarching mission of the ERC program is to discover basic mechanisms of genomic and epigenomic regulation involved in growth and behavior of normal and cancer cells, and translate basic findings into cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment in collaboration with other USC Norris programs. ERC members focus their research on tumor types that represent significant cancer burdens and disparities in our catchment area, including prostate, breast, colorectal, lung, liver cancer, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
The program has two specific aims:
The program is led by Bodour Salhia, PhD, a translational genomics scientist with extensive knowledge and expertise in mechanisms that underlie tumorigenesis and tumor biology. The program brings together 37 members from 18 departments and five schools. ERC members lead 3 P and U grants and participate, along with members of all five Programs, in a new NCI U54 Health Equity Center led by TACS and Cancer Epidemiology members. Additionally, ERC members participate in several PhD and MS programs that span the USC community and lead two R25 training programs.