Speaker
Description
We discuss the dynamics of major genetic forces that shape evolution of cancer cells, using mathematics of stochastic processes. A range of biological examples will serve to illustrate the methodology, including leukemias and other hematological syndromes as well as solid neoplasia, such as lung, breast and bladder cancers. The latter example will help illustrate the notion of the field effect, in which morphologically normal cells harbor mutations promoting malignant transformations. More "exotic" phenomena such as copy number variation of DNA will be invoked to understand major events in tumor timelines.
Mathematical tools include branching processes, diffusion, models of population genetics such as Wright-Fisher and Moran models, as well as the coalescent theory. This latter provides a reverse-time view of cancer evolution facilitating statistical inference. More mathematically advanced methods such as semigroup theory, will be mentioned, though not discussed in depth.
Part of the material is based on publications of the speaker and his collaborators.
Connections with medical practice and public health policies will naturally emerge from conclusions. A number of references to past and current work on the subject will be provided.
