Harper Cancer Research Institute

The lifetime probability of developing cancer in the United States is 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women. In 2009 alone, cancer claimed the lives of more than 560,000 United States men, women and children. This highly complex family of diseases is characterized by aberrant regulation of myriad chemical and biologic processes at the cell, tissue and organ levels. The inherent systemic complexity complicates both cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment, such that breakthrough-level discoveries necessitate a novel perspective conceived at the interface of chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine. Scientists and clinicians in the Harper Cancer Research Institute are dedicated to conducting innovative and integrative research that confronts the complex challenges of cancer. Our programmatic structure fosters multi-disciplinary cancer research by promoting interactions among research groups from distinct disciplines and by training young scientists to work across scientific fields. Clinical partnerships provide key translational insight and strengthen the mission of discovery.