GENOMICS, GENETICS AND EPIGENETICS RESEARCH PROGRAM PROGRAM CODE: GGE PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Genomics, Genetics and Epigenetics (GGE) program (formerly the Cancer Genetics and Genomics Program) consists of 48 members who belong to 15 different academic departments and are bound together by shared interest in studying the cancer genome and epigenome and translating this knowledge into new drugs, novel therapeutic strategies, and novel diagnostic tests. The program adopted a new name in 2015 by including ‘epigenetics’ in the program title to reflect increasing interest by its members in epigenetic research. The program has three major research themes: 1) identify and characterize genetic and epigenetic changes that drive cancer formation and progression;; 2) develop new analytical tools, data resources, and novel laboratory models that enable genetically driven therapeutic approaches and diagnostic tests;; and 3) translate the genomic and genetic/epigenetic discoveries into novel drugs and new diagnostic tests. These goals are accomplished through programmatic interaction between laboratory scientists, clinicians/clinical trialists, and computational biologists. The most important function of the GGE program is to foster collaborations, guide recruitment, and provide technology to accomplish these goals. We organize monthly research seminars in which members present their research projects to disseminate information across the program. We hold retreats/symposia on relevant cancer genetics topics and program leaders actively work on collaborative “matchmaking” to bring together new research teams, including basic and clinical researchers, to advance cancer research. Through these mechanisms, since our last renewal, we have recruited 19 new members and increased our total membership from 44 in 2012 to 48 in 2017. We also created several new multidisciplinary research teams, established several new investigator-initiated clinical trials led by GGE members, and increased collaboration both within the program and between YCC programs. We also increased our total funding base. In June 2017, the total research funding of the program was $11.5M, which is a 40% increase compared to $8.2M (all direct costs) at the time of the last CCSG renewal in 2012. Total peer- reviewed funding is $8.6M, of which $1.9M (direct costs) come from NCI. GGE members published 718 cancer-related papers between July 2012 and June 2017, of which 17% were intra-programmatic, 30% inter- programmatic and 66% collaborative publications with investigators from other institutions.