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David Wedge


David Wedge

Dr

The focus of my research is cancer evolution and heterogeneity. Cancers are made up of a heterogeneous mix of cells, each bearing a different set of mutations in its DNA. We aim to characterise groups of cells, or ‘subclones’, according to their mutational profiles and to study the interaction between subclones.

Tumours are difficult to treat because they change over time, gaining mutations that enable them to metastasise to distant organs or that result in resistance to treatment. By comparing multiple samples, we can identify those mutations that cause relapse and progression. Using genetic markers, we can also track the spread of disease, giving us insights into the mechanisms and processes involved in cancer growth and metastasis.

Cancer is a complex disease and the analysis of large numbers of tumours is key to understanding the factors that determine their virulence. The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) has collected and whole-genome sequenced several thousand cancer samples. I co-lead the Pan-Cancer Working Group on Evolution and Heterogeneity, an international collaboration that is using the DNA sequences of 2800 of these cancer samples to study evolution and heterogeneity across more than 30 different cancer types, including prostate, breast, lung, oesophageal and ovarian cancers.

Recent publications

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