Characterising the molecular changes that underpin the progression and pathogenesis of cancer.

Our Focus

Through the use of cutting edge technologies, Molecular Oncology (MO) aims to identify genes involved in the development of cancer, quickly and accurately.

MO's researchers combine diverse techniques, ranging from genomics, computational biology, tumour imaging, in vitro and in vivo functional models, to study biological and clinical phenotypes. The proteins produced by these genes may serve as targets for novel chemotherapy drugs and other cancer treatments, or imaging scans. MO uses these combined techniques to validate the role of the novel candidate genes in the development of cancer; with an eye towards translating findings into improved treatment options for cancer patients around the world.

News & Events

Canadian and US cancer researchers form special super team to improve treatments and outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma, the rare bone cancer that Terry Fox had

In a national first, a team of top Canadian cancer researchers, including BC Cancer distinguished scientist Dr. Poul Sorensen, is joining forces with world-class US scientists at leading cancer institutes south of the border to tackle together the challenges of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), or what is sometimes called the Terry Fox cancer.

Dr. Poul Sorensen honoured with Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research

The 2025 Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research was awarded to Dr. Poul Sorensen for his revolutionary contributions to pediatric cancer diagnostics and care. The award is a UBC Faculty of Medicine National Research Prize, which celebrates individuals who exemplify excellence in scientific research and ongoing impact in their respective fields.

BC Cancer researchers receive UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Awards

Each year, the UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM) recognizes faculty members who have made exceptional contributions in the areas of education, research and/or service, and who are dedicated to advancing both the Faculty’s values and vision of transforming health for everyone.

Two BC Cancer researchers are recipients of the 2025 UBC FoM Distinguished Achievement Awards in the following categories: 

Research Labs

Recent Publications

Ongoing genome doubling shapes evolvability and immunity in ovarian cancer.

Nature, 2025
McPherson, Andrew, Vázquez-García, Ignacio, Myers, Matthew A, Al-Rawi, Duaa H, Zatzman, Matthew, Weiner, Adam C, Freeman, Samuel, Mohibullah, Neeman, Satas, Gryte, Williams, Marc J, Ceglia, Nicholas, Norkūnaitė, Danguolė, Zhang, Allen W, Li, Jun, Lim, Jamie L P, Wu, Michelle, Choi, Seongmin, Havasov, Eliyahu, Grewal, Diljot, Shi, Hongyu, Kim, Minsoo, Schwarz, Roland F, Kaufmann, Tom, Dinh, Khanh Ngoc, Uhlitz, Florian, Tran, Julie, Wu, Yushi, Patel, Ruchi, Ramakrishnan, Satish, Kim, DooA, Clarke, Justin, Green, Hunter, Ali, Emily, DiBona, Melody, Varice, Nancy, Kundra, Ritika, Broach, Vance, Gardner, Ginger J, Roche, Kara Long, Sonoda, Yukio, Zivanovic, Oliver, Kim, Sarah H, Grisham, Rachel N, Liu, Ying L, Viale, Agnes, Rusk, Nicole, Lakhman, Yulia, Ellenson, Lora H, Tavaré, Simon, Aparicio, Samuel, Chi, Dennis S, Aghajanian, Carol, Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R, Friedman, Claire F, Zamarin, Dmitriy, Weigelt, Britta, Bakhoum, Samuel F, Shah, Sohrab P
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Divergent modes of clonal spread and intraperitoneal mixing in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Nature genetics, 2016
McPherson, Andrew, Roth, Andrew, Laks, Emma, Masud, Tehmina, Bashashati, Ali, Zhang, Allen W, Ha, Gavin, Biele, Justina, Yap, Damian, Wan, Adrian, Prentice, Leah M, Khattra, Jaswinder, Smith, Maia A, Nielsen, Cydney B, Mullaly, Sarah C, Kalloger, Steve, Karnezis, Anthony, Shumansky, Karey, Siu, Celia, Rosner, Jamie, Chan, Hector Li, Ho, Julie, Melnyk, Nataliya, Senz, Janine, Yang, Winnie, Moore, Richard, Mungall, Andrew J, Marra, Marco A, Bouchard-Côté, Alexandre, Gilks, C Blake, Huntsman, David G, McAlpine, Jessica N, Aparicio, Samuel, Shah, Sohrab P
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Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type, displays frequent inactivating germline and somatic mutations in SMARCA4.

Nature genetics, 2014
Ramos, Pilar, Karnezis, Anthony N, Craig, David W, Sekulic, Aleksandar, Russell, Megan L, Hendricks, William P D, Corneveaux, Jason J, Barrett, Michael T, Shumansky, Karey, Yang, Yidong, Shah, Sohrab P, Prentice, Leah M, Marra, Marco A, Kiefer, Jeffrey, Zismann, Victoria L, McEachron, Troy A, Salhia, Bodour, Prat, Jaime, D'Angelo, Emanuela, Clarke, Blaise A, Pressey, Joseph G, Farley, John H, Anthony, Stephen P, Roden, Richard B S, Cunliffe, Heather E, Huntsman, David G, Trent, Jeffrey M
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