Module: 1
Sponsoring Program: BMI
Administrator: Rebecca Dawson

STUDY LIST INFORMATION
Course Number: BMI 219
Course Name: Defining Tumor Behavior with Liquid Biopsies
Units: 3
Grading Option: S/U
Course Director: David Quigley

MORE COURSE INFORMATION
Dates: March 31, 2025 - April 18, 2025
Campus: MB
Location: BH 215
Schedule: M/W/F, 3:30pm-5:00pm
Minimum Class Size: 6 
Maximum Class Size: 18

Genome sequencing methods are now an important driver of therapy decisions for cancer patients. However, the solid tissue biopsies required for these assays can be difficult to obtain, particularly for treatment monitoring. Novel non-invasive methods that interrogate tumors using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) isolated from plasma have opened new translational and fundamental applications in cancer biology and therapy. We will learn how somatic and epigenetic alterations are measured in ctDNA. We'll then evaluate recently developed methods that estimate tumor transcriptional activity, identify tumor subtypes, and identify therapy resistance using methylation, DNA fragment profiling (fragmentomics), and protein binding assays. Participants should have a working knowledge of cancer genetics and cell biology.