Cancer Research and Treatment

Of the more than 3 million people with breast cancer in the United States, about 10 percent carry an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Healthy versions of these genes suppress tumors, but diseased genes go terribly awry. Breast cancer researcher Deb Kelly has discovered that breast cancer cells can identify their own mutated proteins and destroy them.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and disproportionately affects African American men. Randy Jones and his team have developed a new online application that helps men navigate the treatment decisions.

Since the first case of AIDS was reported in the United States more than 30 years ago, prevention programs have been successful at curbing the number of new cases of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. But John Fife is working to combat rising HIV infections among a surprising segment of the population–African Americans over the age of 50.

Millions of people in developing countries go blind due to cataracts because there aren’t enough surgeons trained in the five-minute procedure to remove them. Glenn Strauss is working to design a simulator that will train 30,000 specialists in the surgery to give millions access to the life-changing operation.