Bielas, Jason H.

The Bielas lab studies the fundamental and clinical implications of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA mutations in the pathogenesis of cancer and age-related disease.

Ongoing research projects include the development and implementation of ultra-sensitive mutation detection methods to characterize and establish novel DNA-based biomarkers. We are currently investigating the prevalence of cancer-associated mitochondrial and nuclear mutations disseminated in bodily fluids as a marker for early detection, minimal residual disease, and recurrence. We have also initiated studies to explore the utility of genome mutational load, as an additional more quantitative index, of tumor therapeutic response, clinical stage, and progression.