# Genetics and Genomics

> **NIH NIH P30** · ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP · 2021 · $45,965

## Abstract

The overall goal of the Genetics and Genomics (GG) Program is to discover novel cancer genes, to 
elucidate the function of diverse genetic and epigenetic states, to translate mechanistic insight into therapeutic 
targets and associated biomarkers, and to accelerate the delivery of precision cancer medicine to our patients. 
This will be accomplished in three aims: Aim 1 – To interrogate genetic drivers of tumor hallmarks; Aim 2 – To 
delineate epigenetic states as biomarkers and targets in cancer, and Aim 3 – To translate of genetic and 
epigenetic discovery toward clinical application. A number of important scientific discoveries emanated from 
the GG Program that illustrate the overall research depth, cancer focus, and added value. Additionally, the GG 
Program developed unique tumor sequencing data and analysis approaches to support precision medicine 
concepts. For example, panels developed within the GG Program were leveraged toward the development of a 
molecular diagnostic company (OmniSeq) that contributes to the recruitment of Roswell Park patients into 
molecular basket trials, such as NCI-MATCH. The GG Program research portfolio encompasses studies 
addressing genetic basis of aggressiveness of hormone refractory breast and prostate cancer in African- 
American populations – cancers that are of particular importance for our WNY catchment area. 
 John Krolewski, MD, PhD and Erik Knudsen, PhD are new co-Leaders for the Program who have strong 
interests in basic, clinical, and population aspects of tumor genetics and epigenetics. Dr. Krolewski's 
leadership efforts focus on signaling/cytokine pathways and genomics of genitourinary malignancies, which 
complements Dr. Knudsen's focus in the areas of cell cycle control and genomic stability, and targeting such 
pathways in breast and gastrointestinal cancers. The Program is comprised of 27 members from nine Roswell 
Park departments/centers (Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Center for Personalized Medicine, Molecular and 
Cellular Biology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Urology, Thoracic Surgery, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, 
Medicine, and Pathology), whose total peer-reviewed funding is $3.1M direct costs (NCI funding $1.9M direct) 
and a total funding of $5.4M direct costs. Since the last renewal, 12 new members (nine recruited from outside 
Roswell Park) have joined the Program. Of the 385 publications generated over the last funding cycle, 9% are 
intra-programmatic and 44% are inter-programmatic; 50 (13%) publications are in journals with an impact factor 
>10. Future goals of the Program are focused on multi-investigator projects that make impactful discoveries 
and translate basic science into the clinical arena, harnessing GG science to target cancers at the genetic and 
epigenetic levels.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10148663
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016056-44
- **Recipient organization:** ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP
- **Principal Investigator:** Agnieszka Witkiewicz
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $45,965
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-06-16 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10148663

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10148663, Genetics and Genomics (5P30CA016056-44). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10148663. Licensed CC0.

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