# Research Program: Molecular Oncology Regulation Approaches (MORA)

> **NIH NIH P30** · THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $58,948

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY REGULATION AND APPROACHES PROGRAM (MORA)
The Molecular Oncology Regulation and Approaches (MORA) Program makes mechanistic discoveries of
cancer pathogenesis related primarily to gene, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulatory processes, and
translates these findings into innovative therapies that improve the clinical outcome of cancer patients. The
MORA Program's aims are to: 1) Identify novel molecular mechanisms involved in cancer pathogenesis; 2)
Advance molecular prognostic/predictive approaches to facilitate precision therapy; and 3) Develop innovative
molecularly targeted approaches. MORA synergizes transdisciplinary efforts to develop trials targeting key DNA
repair and gene regulatory functions as well as novel molecular targeting approaches, particularly in catchment
area priorities such as breast, lung, and prostate cancers. MORA members engage with and learn from the local
community through outreach and retreats involving patient advocates and community leaders, as well as regular,
bi-directional interaction with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) Community Advisory Board. MORA
continuously supports the education and training mission through direct mentorship at all career levels, NCI
fellowships, T32 awards, and diversity-enhancing training programs.
The MORA Program is led by Daniel Silver, MD, PhD, and Russell Schilder, MD, who provide complementary
expertise. Silver practices in breast cancer, cancer genetics, and prevention, and is also a basic and translational
laboratory researcher who works on BRCA1/2, triple negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and identifying new
genes involved in tumorigenesis. Schilder is a clinical trialist who currently heads the SKCC’s robust Phase 1
Program and has national leadership roles in cancer clinical research organizations. To capture the research
strengths across the consortium, the Program assembles 46 members from 12 departments across Thomas
Jefferson University and Drexel University. Members have successfully published and obtained grant support.
Total cancer relevant funding is $11.6 M with $1.6 M from NCI and a further $4.1 M from other NIH institutes and
DOD. MORA has published 790 cancer-relevant research articles of which 21.1% are intra-programmatic, 29.2%
are inter-programmatic, and 51.5% are collaborative with other NCI-designated Centers. Discoveries have been
published in high-impact journals including Cancer Discov, Cell, Mol Cell, and J Clin Oncol.
Future goals of MORA are consonant with the SKCC strategic plan: 1) Developing new programmatic grants
and fostering additional grants in catchment-relevant cancers with a focus on NCI funding; 2) Deepening the
focus on molecular mechanisms of treatment and resistance in catchment-relevant diseases, in particular lung,
pancreas, and breast cancers, while retaining expertise in prostate cancer and reinforcing the translation of novel
concepts into clinical trials; 3) Recruiting clinical ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848047
- **Project number:** 2P30CA056036-24
- **Recipient organization:** THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** DANIEL P SILVER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $58,948
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1995-06-22 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848047

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848047, Research Program: Molecular Oncology Regulation Approaches (MORA) (2P30CA056036-24). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848047. Licensed CC0.

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