Unlocking the Dark Genome of Cancer: A Landmark Collaboration Between UNC Charlotte and BioCytics
BioCytics, Inc., in collaboration with Carolina BioOncology Institute, PLLC, and UNC Charlotte, has announced the launch of a research initiative aimed at identifying genomic features that influence cancer cell growth and treatment response. The project, titled "Unlocking the Dark Genome of Cancer via Integrated Multi-Omics Platform of Discovery," will utilize advanced sequencing technologies and computational pipelines to explore the hidden viral and immune drivers of cancer progression.
The initiative is led by principal investigator Richard Allen White III, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte, alongside Renaud Warin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of BioCytics. This two-year project will integrate clinical oncology samples with sophisticated long-read sequencing and immune repertoire profiling, as well as viral dark-genome discovery. The research team plans to implement clinical-grade Rust-based computational algorithms to streamline multi-omics data processing and reporting, aiming to enhance translational decision-making in clinical settings.
The project has specific aims, including the characterization of patient-specific immune repertoires, mapping the viral "dark genome" in tumors, and utilizing a modular computational suite for various analyses. The goal is to develop a clinical decision support tool that helps clinicians assess the likelihood of a patient benefiting from specific therapies.
Richard Allen White III stated, "Our project will resolve new insights into the roles of the dark genome within cancer while providing clinical-grade modernizations of computational pipelines." He highlighted the advantages of the Rust programming language in bioinformatics, noting its memory safety, scalability, and performance.
Renaud Warin emphasized the significance of the dark viral genome in cancer research, pointing out that it has been largely overlooked. Warin expressed optimism that identifying new viral-driven mechanisms during cancer expansion could inform the development of potent immune cell types for therapeutic purposes. He also noted the importance of local collaboration in the project, citing the expertise of Dr. White at UNC Charlotte as a valuable asset.