Funding sources
R01 - Cancer Therapy and Male Germline Mutation Rates: A Longitudinal Sperm Bank Study
Jonathan Shoag
Cancer treatment can save lives, but its long-term effects on fertility and future generations are not fully understood. Supported by an NIH R01 grant, our research team is studying how cancer therapies affect sperm at the genetic level, comparing samples banked before treatment to samples collected afterward using advanced genetic sequencing technology. By partnering with cancer survivors who banked sperm through Cryos International, we hope to give patients clearer, evidence-based answers about fertility preservation, helping families plan for the future with greater confidence.
ISACS - Ureteral Expansion Device for Intestine-Free Urinary Diversion in a Porcine Model
Jonathan Shoag
Our lab received an ISAC grant to develop a novel surgical approach for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy using controlled ureteral dilation, with the goal of improving outcomes and reducing complications.
AUA - Impact of Chemotherapy on the Somatic Mutation Burden of Sperm
Shany Picciotto
This project evaluates whether chemotherapy increases somatic mutation rates in sperm using ultra-high-fidelity sequencing technologies. By directly measuring mutation burden, the study aims to define the impact of cancer therapies on the germline and inform fertility counseling and long-term risk assessment for patients undergoing treatment.
DOD - Targeting Prostate Cancer Through Drug Repurposing and SLC37A3 Characterization
Jonathan Shoag
This project identifies and validates new therapeutic targets in prostate cancer by integrating patient data with experimental models. Using PSA data, quinine was identified as a candidate drug with activity against prostate cancer. The study focuses on defining the mechanism of action of quinine, characterizing its target SLC37A3, and evaluating its role in prostate cancer progression to inform new treatment strategies.
R01 - Somatic Mutation Rates in Healthy Aging
Jonathan Shoag
This project investigates how somatic mutation rates change during normal human aging and how these mutations accumulate across different tissues over time. Using high-precision sequencing approaches, the study aims to quantify mutation burden and characterize mutational patterns in otherwise healthy individuals. By integrating genomic data with computational analysis, the project seeks to better understand the biological processes driving mutation accumulation and their potential role in age-related diseases, including cancer.