Liying Zhang, MD, PhD

I am a molecular geneticist with a special interest in cancer genetics. My clinical work has been in the Diagnostic Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the Department of Pathology. Our laboratory offers molecular diagnostic testing for inherited disorders. Focusing in particular on the inherited forms of breast, ovarian, colorectal, and other types of cancer, we are working to identify gene alterations, so that we can provide better medical management options that can reduce risk by prevention or early detection. We have developed a number of new diagnostic genetic tests, validated these tests for clinical use, and used them to improve patient care. My research has focused on two areas:

1. Identification and characterization of molecular alterations in human cancers that are responsible for clinically relevant features of the disease. We focus on genes and signaling pathways that contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
2. Classification and characterization of the sequence variants in cancer predisposition genes, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1, and MSH2. We use molecular biology, molecular genetics, and biochemical approaches to study how these sequence variants alter the function of the proteins sufficiently to predispose cells to cancer development.

These research efforts are designed to provide detailed information useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic design.