University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · GeneticsBreast Cancer Metastasis Research Unit
Charles M Perou · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Charles M. Perou's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how breast cancer cells spread to different organs in the body. By studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this process, particularly in various subtypes of breast cancer, the lab aims to identify why certain tumors prefer to metastasize to certain organs. The research combines data from human samples and mouse models with advanced techniques to uncover potential new treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
breast cancermetastasismachine learningmolecular mechanismstumor microenvironmentspatial transcriptomicshuman samplesmouse modelsorgan-specific metastasiscancer treatment
Research Aims
5AIM 01Identify the molecular determinants of organ-specific metastasis in breast cancer.
AIM 02Characterize the interaction between established tumors and their local microenvironment.
AIM 03Utilize machine learning to analyze complex datasets of human and mouse models.
AIM 04Uncover critical crosstalk that sustains tumor growth in metastatic sites.
AIM 05Develop potential therapeutic interventions based on research findings.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell culturemouse modelsspatial transcriptomicsmachine learningbioinformaticsgenomicsdata analysismolecular biology techniquestumor modeling
Output against the department
Publications2,025top 1% of dept.1st of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations253ktop 1% of dept.2nd of 259
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.