Overview

Mayo Clinic's Molecular Analysis of Human Diseases Laboratory, led by John R. Hawse, Ph.D., investigates the molecular mechanisms of hormone receptors, including estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in normal cells and tissue, as well as in cancer development, progression and treatment.

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

Our research team comprised of chemists, biochemists, molecular biologists and cell biologists functions in a highly collaborative and dynamic manner. We interact daily with clinical colleagues, including pathologists, oncologists, radiologists and surgeons, to study the most pressing and relevant issues affecting our patients.

We embrace the core values of Mayo Clinic and strive daily to provide more effective and less toxic treatment options for individuals with these devastating cancers. Findings from our laboratory are transformative. To date, we have successfully moved our basic science discoveries into the clinic in the form of four early-phase clinical trials, with additional trials under development.

Affiliations

Dr. Hawse’s lab is affiliated with several research groups and organizations at Mayo Clinic.