Overview

Mayo Clinic's Molecular Analysis of Human Diseases Laboratory led by John R. Hawse, Ph.D., investigates the molecular mechanisms of hormone receptors, transcription factors, kinases and enzymes in normal cells and tissue, as well as in cancer development, progression and treatment.

The lab also studies the biochemical and molecular evolution of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer progression in the face of standard-of-care therapy to determine how molecular adaptations lead to cancer cell persistence and drug resistance. With this knowledge, the lab identifies new drug targets, devises novel treatment strategies, and conducts translational and preclinical studies that support the development of investigator-initiated clinical trials.

The research team, which includes chemists, biochemists, molecular biologists, cell biologists and bioinformaticians, functions in a highly collaborative and dynamic manner. The research team interacts daily with clinical colleagues, including pathologists, oncologists, radiologists and surgeons, to study the most pressing and relevant issues affecting patients.

The lab embraces the core values of Mayo Clinic and strives daily to provide more effective and less toxic treatment options for people living with these forms of cancer. Findings from the lab are transformative. To date, the lab has successfully moved its basic science discoveries into the clinic in the form of six early-phase clinical trials. More trials are under development.

Affiliations

Dr. Hawse's lab is affiliated with several research groups and organizations at Mayo Clinic, including: