Administrative Core

The development and validation of biomarkers for the early detection of cancer requires a team of investigators and resources to move from discovery through stages of validation to the ultimate goal of a clinically approved and useful test. This Biomarker Characterization Center proposes to develop and validate blood-based cancer specific DNA methylation biomarkers by bringing together investigative teams from three NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (The UMPC Hillman Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, and The University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center) to accomplish this complex task. To coordinate and support these efforts, an administrative core will integrate activities of EDRN BCC investigators. The administrative core of this Biomarker Characterization Center oversees, coordinates and supports the activities of this multidisciplinary program. Through overseeing and supporting these activities, the individual components of the Biomarker Development Laboratory and the Biomarker Reference Laboratory are able to effectively accomplish their objectives and integrate their activities with other components of the BCC (BDL and BRL), with other NCI programs and with other EDRN centers (BCCs, CVCs and the DMCC).