Overview
Our laboratory uses genomic and pharmacological approaches to understand how tumor dependencies are shaped by cell intrinsic factors, environmental factors, and drug treatments during the dynamic process of tumor evolution. To learn more, please visit our laboratory website: https://woodlabduke.com/.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
·
2025 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Cell Biology
·
2025 - Present
Cell Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2012 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma oncofusions share a common interactome.
Journal Article Nat Commun · May 28, 2026 Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS) arises from at least seven distinct oncofusions sharing a common PAX3/7 N-terminal DNA-binding domain fused to divergent C-terminal partners. How different oncofusions produce the same cancer was unknown. Here we s ... Full text Link to item CiteExploiting tumor lineage features for precision cancer therapy.
Journal Article Trends Cancer · April 2026 Cancer cells often retain lineage- and tissue of origin-specific programs established prior to malignant transformation. This observation has been elaborated by advances in single-cell and lineage-tracing technologies, which provide high-resolution mapping ... Full text Link to item CiteBRCA1-A and LIG4 complexes mediate ecDNA biogenesis and cancer drug resistance.
Journal Article Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · March 17, 2026 Extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) is frequently generated within the nucleus, contributing to genome dynamics and heterogeneity, thereby promoting cancer cell evolution and adaptation. However, the mechanisms underlying ecDNA biogenesis remain poorly u ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Identification and targeting of essential regions of driver fusion oncoproteins in rhabdomyosarcoma
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research · 2025 - 2030Eradicating residual non-small cell lung cancers by targeting their PKN2-dependent survival
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by V Foundation for Cancer Research · 2025 - 2030View All Grants
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ·
2007
Ph.D.