#United States #Cancer Research #Huntersville #BioCytics #UNC Charlotte

Unlocking the Dark Genome of Cancer

A transformative research initiative is underway, spearheaded by BioCytics, Inc. in collaboration with the Carolina BioOncology Institute and UNC Charlotte. This pioneering project aims to unveil genomic features that play crucial roles in the growth and treatment responses of cancer cells. Dubbed "Unlocking the Dark Genome of Cancer via Integrated Multi-Omics Platform of Discovery," this collaboration will utilize advanced sequencing technologies and computational resources to explore the undisclosed viral and immune factors driving cancer progression.

Led by Richard Allen White III, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics at UNC Charlotte, as well as Renaud Warin, Ph.D., BioCytics’ Chief Scientific Officer, the project spans a two-year period. It will combine clinical oncology samples with cutting-edge long-read sequencing, immune repertoire profiling, and discovery of the viral dark genome. The research team plans to deploy state-of-the-art Rust-based algorithms for data processing and reporting, aiming to facilitate translational decisions in real-world clinical practices.

The project seeks to achieve a number of specific objectives. Among these are the characterization of unique immune repertoires of patients, mapping the viral dark genome within tumors, and implementing a comprehensive computational suite that automates quality control, variant calling, and pathway reporting. This systematic approach will culminate in the development of a clinical decision support gadget that enables healthcare providers to assess the probability of patient benefit from various treatment options.

Dr. White expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Our endeavor will uncover new insights into the influence of the dark genome on cancer, while simultaneously modernizing computational pipelines to clarify these findings. Rust is poised to revolutionize bioinformatics through its memory safety, scalability, and impressive performance metrics. Currently, we are witnessing an active movement to enhance biological coding with Rust, greatly benefiting bio-analytics."

Warin added that the dark viral genome has been overlooked in cancer research, despite its potential to produce antigens in malfunctioning cancer cells. He noted, "Revealing new viral-driven mechanisms and antigens during cancer proliferation can lead to exciting avenues for identifying and isolating highly potent immune cell types, thus enriching BioCytics’ portfolio of candidate products. Collaborating with a local expert such as Dr. White was an invaluable opportunity we couldn't afford to miss."

Together, the laboratories are committed to building comprehensive atlases of immune repertoires and maps of viral elements in tumors, which may provide significant advancements in cancer treatment methodologies.

About BioCytics

Founded in 2005 by Dr. John Powderly, BioCytics, Inc. is a private health technology firm located in Huntersville, North Carolina, in close association with the Carolina BioOncology Institute, which specializes in cancer therapy and clinical trials. They are pioneering an immuno-oncology platform using Autologous Adaptive Immune Cell Therapy (AAICT), aimed at treating solid tumors by harnessing the patient's own immune cells. The AAICT approach represents a groundbreaking point-of-care cell manufacturing process designed to create non-genetically modified effector cell populations for all stages of solid tumors.

About UNC Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a cornerstone of urban research with over 32,000 students. As the only R1 institution in Charlotte, it drives innovation in one of the fastest-growing regions across the United States. Known for its dedication to student success and community involvement, UNC Charlotte is recognized among U.S. News & World Reports' Top 100 Public Universities, making a significant impact on the local and academic communities.