Division of Biology and Medicine
Legorreta Cancer Center

Translational Oncology

Translational research brings basic science discoveries to our clinical partners.

Breadcrumb

Translational Oncology

Translational research brings basic science discoveries to our clinical partners.

Translational oncology serves as the vital link connecting laboratory discoveries with patient care. At the Legorreta Cancer Center, our goal is to translate foundational insights from cancer biology, genomics, immunology, and molecular pathology into innovative diagnostic tools, therapeutic options, and preventive strategies, ultimately improving outcomes for cancer patients. In this process, findings from preclinical or ‘bench’ studies help discover biomarkers, novel targets, and the development of new agents, as well as inform the design of innovative clinical trials. At the same time, observations from patients subsequently inform basic research, allowing for ongoing refinement. Translational oncology involves multidisciplinary collaboration, access to comprehensive biospecimen resources, the integration of computational and experimental methodologies, and close alignment with both clinical needs and regulatory pathways.

At the Legorreta Cancer Center, we have built an infrastructure to support this continuum of research and facilitate partnerships between our basic science researchers and clinical teams.

Leadership

  • Sendurai Mani

    Sendurai Mani, PhD

    Director for Translation, Asoociate Director for Translational Oncology, Legorreta Cancer Center
  • Attila Seyhan, PhD

    Attila Seyhan, PhD

    Director of Operations - Translational Oncology, Legorreta Cancer Center, Adjunct Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Our Approach & Infrastructure

Translational research bridges the gap between basic science discoveries and clinical science. We have established a structured framework that enables and accelerates this translation by fostering collaboration across Brown’s academic departments and our affiliated hospitals. Our infrastructure includes shared cores, access to biospecimens and data, and institutional support for pilot funding, protocol development, and regulatory pathways. 

To organize efforts around specific cancer types and translational themes, we have created Translational Research Disease Groups (TRDGs).

Translational Disease Research Groups (TRDGs)

TRDGs are disease-oriented teams that convene scientists and clinicians from diverse disciplines to discuss, ideate, and propel translational projects. Each TRDG is focused on a particular cancer type (e.g., breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, etc.). 

Key Features of TRDGs:

  • Interdisciplinary membership: TRDGs bring together medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pediatric oncologists, pathologists, basic cancer biologists, geneticists, biostatisticians, population researchers, bioinformaticians, and trainees.
  • Regular meetings: Groups convene regularly, often at the Brown Molecular Medicine Building or affiliated hospital sites. Meetings typically include formal presentations followed by a discussion.
  • Structured agenda and goals: Each meeting may cover the status of ongoing translational efforts, new opportunities for collaboration, updates on funding possibilities, and potential development of new pilot projects or working groups.
  • Grant and protocol support: TRDGs help identify and shape project ideas suitable for pilot funding or larger translational grants (e.g., R01, P01, SPORE, and other translations proposals), support collaborations to design protocols, and advance new clinical translational research studies.
  • Dynamic membership: Faculty, fellows, and students may join or engage with TRDGs at any time, and membership evolves as interests and projects develop.

 

Description of the TRDGs

Meeting Logistics & Format

  • Meetings follow a standard agenda (e.g. current project updates, new concepts, funding opportunities, working group formation)
  • Minutes are recorded and circulated internally
  • Presenters are invited, and participants include lab members, trainees, and collaborators

Please contact Attila Seyhan for more information or to join a TRDG.