Interview with Dr. Gerard Evan

Dr. Evan works on developing new ways to study cancer development and treatment.  He has created a novel system to study cancer development in mice using a 'switchable' version of the myc oncogeneA defective gene that is involved in triggering cancer cell growth. Oncogenes are altered forms of genes that normally are involved stimulating cell division. These normal genes are mutated and function in an inappropriate manner in cancer cells. An analogy would be that a mutated oncogene is like a car's gas pedal stuck in the on position. All forms of cancer have one or more mutant oncogenes. Examples of oncogenes that are altered in many cancers are myc, ras and Her-2/neu. Contrast with 'tumor suppressor'..  In the interview he discusses his work and the potential benefit to other researchers and for cancer patients.