Scientists who helped map the human genome are to lead the world's largest investigation into the genetic causes of cancer.
The project forms the cornerstone of a five-year research program costing $875 million at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute at Hinxton, UK.
33% of the chemical patterns of human DNA material, which contain the codes for genes, were sequenced at the institute. Professor Mike Stratton will head the cancer study to search for genetic mutations that cause common cancers such as breast, lung, colorectal, ovary and prostate.
Numerous gene mutations linked to cancer are already known but many more have yet to be discovered. Professor Stratton said his team would identify genes that mutate in cancer and measure the frequency of mutations for every major form of the disease.
"There are more than 100 types of cancer but we need to understand what makes them all different," he said. "This information will then be used to develop more specific drugs for improved treatment."
The research is expected to identify tumour suppressor genes that work to promote cancer growth when defective. Disorders involving multiple gene mutations, including diabetes and allergies such as asthma, will also be genetically investigated.
