One of the most promising areas of genetic research is Cancer Genomics.  Thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, NorthShore University HealthSystem has established the Center for Functional Genomics to focus on this exciting field.

Every tumor has its own genetic signature. Applying the genome approach allows our physician-scientists to study thousands of genes at once, looking for a tumor's "Achilles' heel," which will ultimately lead to determining the best treatment for a particular tumor.

San Ming Wang, MD, recently recruited from the University of Chicago is the new Director of the Center for Functional Genomics.  Dr. Wang brings expertise in functional genomics studies. His major interest is in the genome sciences with the focus on transcriptome and the development of genome approaches to study biomedical issues.  His research projects include gene identification in the human genome, in hematopoietic stem cell, in leukemia, and in heredity diseases.

Dr. Wang's scientific focus is to use whole genome approaches to identify genes involved in normal cell defferentiation and use this information to determine genes involved in cancers such as leukemia and breast cancer.   He is a leading expert in applying a technique called SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) to identify novel genes in human, mouse and Drosophila genomes.

Dr. Wang's research is funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH, the Department of Defense, the Mathers Foundation, as well as the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation.  Dr. Wang received his undergraduate training in China, earned his MD degree in the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Switzerland.   He established as an independent investigator while working with Dr. Janet Rowley at the University of Chicago.