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Dr.
Bharati Bapat
STAFF
SCIENTIST
Dr. Bharati Bapat brought her genetics expertise to Mount Sinai
Hospital and its Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in 1991, and
introduced molecular diagnostics to the team. Today, Mount Sinai
Hospital is a leader in this field, thanks to Dr. Bapat’s work.
In the research lab, Dr. Bapat focuses on uncovering the causes of
colorectal, bladder and prostate cancer by taking an “epigenetic”
approach. The field of epigenetics examines changes in gene
function that do not disrupt the underlying DNA sequence, but are
instead a reversible change. (Genetics, on the other hand, studies
permanent mutations in genetic function.) DNA methylation is a
naturally occurring process that can cause an impermanent change in a
gene.
Each tumor is expected to have its own unique pattern or “signature”
of DNA methylation. By studying changes in DNA methylation, Dr. Bapat
aims to generate knowledge that will contribute to better and more
accurate therapies for cancers. One of Dr. Bapat’s new projects
involves the use of an innovative profiling technique to screen the
genomes of prostate cancer patients at various stages of progression.
This process will reveal genetic markers to help pathologists,
oncologists and urologists better understand a patient’s prognosis, and
ultimately determine optimal treatment on a case-by-case
basis.
Recently, Dr. Bapat’s team conducted a large study of colon cancer
patients from six international registries, in which patients had one
of two distinct genetic types of tumours. Results suggest a complex
interplay between genetic mutations and environmental factors. Her
additional research on the interaction between genes and environmental
influence (specifically, the effects of diet and alcohol) includes a
recent study of 1,000 Canadian patients with colon cancer, in which
changes to the ApoE pathway were investigated.
Another aspect of Dr. Bapat’s more recent work focuses on the
development of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cancers. It has
already been proven that DNA methylation tied to prostate cancer can be
detected in a urine sample, which could not only replace the need for
invasive tumour biopsies, but also open the door to a world of
potential in preventative medicine. Dr. Bapat’s lab is already
testing urine and blood samples to detect epigenetic signatures that
will avoid (or minimize) some surgical procedures in the future. The
development of more non-invasive tests like this one will transform the
way patients receive care and the way physicians make diagnoses.
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