working with our patients

We work with our patients in our communities and through collaborations to study rare cancers through local or national consenting programs such as above at pattern.org. Many disease have similar roots - starting with a few patients and then through regional, national and international efforts, many patients can come together with researchers to identify new therapies.

collaborations key

Our studies initially began at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT along with Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We then began working with the Rare Cancer Research Foundation and in 2020, we broadened our work with the Children’s Oncology Group (along with DFCI/BCH, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Toronto Sick Kids, St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital, Baylor/Texas Children’s), Georgia Tech, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

Developing models

Through IRB approved protocols, patient samples are transferred to the lab to be developed into models (e.g. cell lines or PDXs). Only a small fraction (<20%) of these models grow in the lab but we are constantly looking to identify new methods to improve the “take” rate.

Genomic Interrogation

Following development of patient derived cell lines or xenografts (tumors in mice), we use next-generation sequencing (e.g. long-read sequencing, whole genome, whole exome, chromatin accessibility, methylation, whole transcriptome, single cell techniques) to characterize these models.

We are grateful to DataCamp, a learning platform for data science and analytics. “DataCamp’s learn-by-doing methodology combines short expert videos and hands-on-the-keyboard exercises to help learners retain knowledge… They’re constantly expanding their curriculum to keep up with the latest technology trends and to provide the best learning experience for all skill levels.”