Our Science Initiatives – Molecular Targets
Recent advances in the molecular pathogenesis of cancer offer unprecedented opportunities to discover and develop novel, molecularly targeted therapeutic and preventive strategies and agents. The challenge is the definitive validation of human cancer-pertinent molecular targets. The CCR is identifying and characterizing new molecular targets important in cancer processes, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
The Molecular Targets Faculty provides the infrastructure to support collaborative basic, translational, and clinical research on molecular targets or pathways. The Faculty, together with the Molecular Targets Development Program (MTDP), helps NCI intramural investigators develop screening assays to identify small-molecule inhibitors and biologic agents that interact with molecular targets, and support preclinical development of promising molecularly targeted lead compounds. The Faculty also initiated the Molecular Therapeutics Program (MTP) to facilitate the process of moving novel ideas to new cancer therapies.
Target Identification and Validation
Target identification and validation is a major area of research, and the need exists to identify bioprobes and inhibitors for these molecular targets. The Molecular Targets Development Program (MTDP), the centerpiece of CCR’s high-throughput screening efforts, was established to:
- Aid and advise investigators in the development of screening assays.
- Work with scientists to develop screening assays for biomolecules that interact with molecular targets.
- Evaluate natural products and synthetic compound libraries.
- Implement screens to identify biomolecules that interact with molecular targets.
- Identify, characterize, and validate hits from these screens.
- Purify active components in the case of natural products.
- Advise on and facilitate development of new research reagents.
- Advise scientists on molecular targets and drug discovery.
- Train pre- and post-doctoral scientists in the interdisciplinary fields required for bioassay development and molecularly targeted drug discovery.
New Drug Development
The Molecular Therapeutics Program (MTP) facilitates the NCI drug development process and mission. The MTP brings together investigators from different disciplines and with varied expertise and achieves its goals by conducting multidisciplinary interrogation of molecular pathways, providing infrastructure and support to preclinical drug development, and participating in the design and coordination of clinical trials.
Molecular Targets News
Screening Data Deposited in PubChem
The MTDP has begun depositing screening data for more than 100,000 publicly available compounds into the NIH Roadmap project PubChem. Initial data are from a series of cell-free RNase H inhibition screens that were run in collaboration with Dr. Stuart Le Grice of the CCR’s HIV Drug Resistance Program. Data from other screens will be deposited as soon as intellectual property and publication processes are complete. This data can now be cross-correlated with data on the same compounds from other sources. Public compounds include purified natural products and synthetic compounds from the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program’s repository and from a large ChemBridge library. Click here for PubChem announcements.
CCR/JHU Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
Concentration in Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies
CCR and the Johns Hopkins University have partnered to create a new concentration in the Masters of Science in Biotechnology program, called Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies. This innovative program focuses on bioassay development, chemical libraries, molecular targets and cancer, and high-throughput screening laboratory automation. The program recruits post-baccalaureates to work in NCI-CCR laboratories on projects related to the Molecular Targets Initiative. While studying for a Masters of Science in Biotechnology, fellows will receive paid tuition for up to 2 years and an annual stipend. Ten courses are required for graduation (four core courses and six electives). Practical lab courses are also included as part of the curriculum. Applicants may apply to: http://www.jhu.edu/advanced.
