Groups’ aims and objectives

• To build a genotype matrix that will be integrated into the molecular-epidemiological assessment model for predicting new lung cancer cases.
• To identify and validate molecular assays for the early detection of preclinical lung cancer in body fluids such as sputum and plasma. The same markers could be used for therapy monitoring.
• To study functional significance of abnormal genetic/epigenetic processes in lung cancer which will assist in marker prioritisation.

The group’s early marker programme focuses in identifying markers of malignancy rather than markers of genomic damage reflecting chronic exposure to tobacco or other carcinogens. We aim to provide a set of markers that will assist clinical diagnosis at the early conversion state. This will allow for more effective treatment of lung cancer patients and at the same time prevents overdiagnosis that not only would cause unnecessary distress to the individual but also has a detrimental effect for public health economics.

Group Members:

Name	Position	Project
Dr. George Xinarianos	Postdoctoral Fellow	Genotyping &Lung Carcinogenesis Modelling
Dr Teresa Knapp	P/T Postdoctoral Fellow	CDKN1A transcription regulation in lung cancer
Dr Sue Warrack	Research Associate	Matrix and adhesion genes as NSCLC antigens
Ms Naomi Bowers	Research Assistant	Genotyping & CDKN1A transcription regulation
Ms Rumana Zaman	Research Technician	EU- Genomic Instability Project
Dr Huifeng MD	Postgraduate Student	Genotyping
Mr Alexandros Daskalos	Erasmus student	Gastrin regulation in human lung cancer

Research Projects

Funding		Title
	Roy Castle Foundation	Liverpool Lung Project	Genetic predisposition to lung cancer
			Early lung cancer markers I: Genomic Instability
			Early lung cancer markers II: DNA methylation
	EU – Framework V	Early lung cancer markers (WP4)
	UK Dept of Trade & Industry	Lung Carcinogenesis Models

Diagrammatic representation of the group’s project organisation