Lance D MILLER, Ph.D. Senior Group Leader millerl@gis.a-star.edu.sg

 

RESEARCH FOCUS

Our work focuses on understanding molecular and clinical aspects of carcinogenesis from a systems biology perspective. Using genomics technologies such as DNA microarrays, my laboratory investigates the transcriptional dynamics and genomic architectures of primary tumors and cell lines at various stages of the oncogenic process and in different clinical contexts. Integrative analysis of gene expression patterns, copy number alterations, and clinicopathologic features allows us to define transcriptional programs of mechanistic and clinical relevance. This strategy has led to the identification and validation of gene expression signatures in liver, breast, ovarian and lung cancers that 1) reflect the activity of specific growth-regulating pathways, 2) define known and novel tumor subtypes, and 3) predict clinical outcomes such as disease recurrence and therapeutic response. Recent examples include prognostic signatures in breast cancer that reflect the operational configuration of the TP53 pathway (Miller et al, PNAS, 2005) and delineate new clinical tumor subtypes based on “genetic grade” (Ivshina et al, Cancer Res, 2006). We have also pioneered novel data mining strategies that integrate several forms of clinico-genomic information (expression, copy number, patient survival) capable of pinpointing known and candidate oncogenes. Using this approach, we have recently identified and validated a novel breast cancer oncogene at chromosome 8p11 that promotes transformation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion through matrigel, and tumor formation in mouse xenograft models. Other candidate genes identified by this method are currently being prioritized for functional validation based on their potential for therapeutic targeting.

 

EDUCATION

1995-2001 PhD-Genetics and Molecular BiologyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC, USA 1992-1995 MS-Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyEast Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC, USA 1988-1992 BS-BiologyUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC, USA

 

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

Present Senior Group Leader, Microarray & Expression Genomics, Cancer Biology & Pharmacology, Genome Institute of Singapore Present Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Molecular Epidemiology, School of Medicine, National University of Singapore Present Faculty Member, NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering Present Officer-In-Charge, BSF Microarray Technology Centre (Biopolis Shared Facilities) Present Active Member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Present Associate Editor, Genomics 1999-2001 Staff Scientist, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA 1997-1999 CRTA Fellow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

2003 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Distinguished Alumnus 2000 NIH Director’s Award for Scientific Excellence 1997 National Cancer Institute (USA) CRTA Fellowship Award 1995 National Institutes of Health (USA) Graduate Training Scholarship

 

COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY BOARD

2005-2006 International Biomarker Discovery Consortium (organized by Lee Hartwell) 2005-2006 P53 Knowledge-Base Working Group (organized by Sir David Lane) 2005-2006 Cell Interaction Group (organized by Santosh Mishra) 2005-2006 Life Sciences Virtual Grid Community Group (organized by Patrick Tan) 2005-2006 Explosion Magazine’s scientific editorial board 2005 BMRC LRP Decision Committee for Translational Research Grants 2001 NCI Microarray Steering Committee

 

COMPLETE PUBLICATION LIST