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Ahuja Lab
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    INFORMATION FOR

    Ahuja Laboratory

    Pioneering epigenetic advancements for cancer research and detection.

    The Ahuja Laboratory is dedicated to pioneering advancements in cancer research and detection. We use epigenetics for developing precision diagnostics and therapeutics to eliminate cancers. Our mission encompasses understanding the basic mechanisms of cancer progression while also translating our findings into actionable solutions for early detection within the community.

    Our mission is to revolutionize cancer research and detection. We are pioneering breakthroughs in early detection, treatment response prediction, and prevention strategies, particularly focusing on gastrointestinal cancers.

    Our team of researchers, led by Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, explore the significance of cancer epigenetics and address disparities in cancer research. We focus on understanding the impact of aging, lifestyle factors, and genetic influences on overall health. Our research focuses on personalized interventions to enhance patient outcomes.

    We employ technologies such as single-cell analysis, and epigenomics to delve deep into the mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy response. Our interdisciplinary team harnesses these technologies for cancer research.

    Community engagement is a key aspect of our work. We actively involve the community through outreach programs, partnerships with local organizations, and educational initiatives aimed at increasing awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. By engaging with diverse perspectives, we aim to reduce the burden of gastrointestinal cancers and improve overall well-being.

    Together, we can make a profound impact on the future of cancer care. Explore career opportunities at Ahuja Laboratory and be part of high-impact research that aims to improve patient care.


    Gastrointestinal Cancer

    What we eat and drink is the first line of exposure to chronic disease. We leverage technology and collaborative approaches to understand how disease happens. We aim to identify cancer early using biomarkers and liquid biopsies when treatment works best.

    Our research focuses on understanding how diseases start and predicting how patients will respond to treatment. We aim to create personalized interventions for each patient and develop a model for detecting diseases early. We collaborate in various fields to research cancer cells and genetics. Our goal is to discover innovative treatments for cancer and enhance patient outcomes.

    Join us as we continue our relentless pursuit of innovative solutions in cancer research and detection. Together, we can make a profound impact on the future of cancer care.

    Community Engagement

    We need diverse perspectives to do good science. We want to use community events to teach people about science and encourage them to live healthier lives. Through and preventive measures, we can reduce the burden of gastrointestinal cancers and improve overall well-being.

    We actively involve the community in our research endeavors through:

    • Outreach programs targeting local organizations. Our goal is to create a repository of high-risk individuals and develop community-based approaches to prevent chronic disease.
    • Partnerships with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure research relevance and impact.
    • Educational initiatives aimed at increasing awareness about cancer prevention and early detection.

    Our Approach

    • Probing Disparities in Cancer

      We employ multiple approaches to achieve our goals:

      • Understanding Disease Initiation: Our screening programs help us learn how gastrointestinal cancer begins. This allows us to develop new methods for detecting and treating it early. This helps prevent it from becoming a serious issue.
      • Biomarker Development: Through innovative programs, we devise novel ways of detecting diseases at early stages, particularly focusing on gastrointestinal cancers, using liquid biopsy approaches
      • Treatment Response Prediction: We study cancer patients to learn how well treatments work and find those who do not respond to treatment.
      • Preventive Mechanisms: We have established early intervention programs aimed at preventing disease occurrence, targeting high-risk individuals through surveillance and screening initiatives. Our screening program allows us to devise novel ways of understanding biomarkers to measure the severity of disease.

    • Gastrointestinal Tumor Development

      We use single-cell analysis and epigenomics to delve deep into the mechanisms of cancer progression and therapy response. Our interdisciplinary team harnesses these tools for groundbreaking discoveries.

      A gastrointestinal tumor can develop due to lifestyle choices such as diet or environmental toxins. What we eat and drink has a profound impact on health. The gastrointestinal system is the body’s first line of defense against major illness.

      By understanding the early events in disease formation, particularly in the stomach, our aim is to provide targeted treatments which may lead to improved patient outcomes. We are testing a liquid biopsy-based approaches for multi-cancer detection.


    Current Projects

    • Explore the significance of cancer epigenetics

      The word epigenetics means, “in addition to genetics.” Epigenetics are the biological mechanisms that switch genes on and off. These factors include environmental exposures, diet, stress. By incorporating epigenetics into our research, we can gain insights into how lifestyle choices such as diet and alcohol use, environmental exposures, and other factors impact an individual's risk of developing cancer. This knowledge can then be used to develop targeted interventions and personalized treatment plans that consider each person's unique genetic and epigenetic profile. The interplay between genetics and environmental factors may reveal novel therapeutic targets and personalized prevention strategies.

    • Address disparities in cancer research

      Additionally, we are developing screening methods to improve early detection and diagnosis of cancer, particularly in underserved and underrepresented communities. Through collaboration with healthcare providers and community organizations, we hope to create a comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and treatment that addresses the needs of all individuals.

    Contact Us

    Anup Sharma, PhD