Cancer is an extremely complex, heterogeneous disease caused by mutations on the genome. Furthermore, each individual is exposed to different environmental factors that can affect genome aberrations. In fact, the cancer genome has a multitude of mutations on genes which are related to cancer pathways. These mutations on our genome make our cell system uncontrollable. Recent advances in cutting-edge technologies, such as next-generation sequencers, enable us to analyze omics data in an unprecedented manner. However, the labour intensive paradigm of molecular biology in conjunction with the computational power of ordinary PCs is insufficient to challenge the complex task of comprehending cancer as a system. This project aims to create a new paradigm in cancer research. By extensive omics analysis based on systems biology, cancer biology and supercomputing, an integrative systems understanding of cancer shall be realized. Systems biology approaches are essential to elucidate the disease mechanisms of cancer. In conjunction with the supercomputer system (75 TFLOPS) at the Human Genome Center, this new approach will bring us closer to the understanding of cancer than any paradigm before.

Satoru Miyano (Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo)

Johji Inazawa (Tokyo Medical and Dental University)
Shunpei Ishikawa (University of Tokyo)
Satoru Miyano (Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo)
Takashi Takahashi (Nagoya University)
Seishi Ogawa (University of Tokyo)
Tomoyoshi Soga (Keio University)
Tatsuhiko Tsunoda (RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine)