Marilyn Li Laboratory

The Li Laboratory, led by Marilyn M. Li, MD, specializes in the genomic analysis of pediatric tumors using state-of-the-art technology, such as next-generation sequencing, and other genomic tools. The driving force behind their research is the identification of mutations and signature genomic sequences that will aid in cancer diagnosis, measure disease progression, and optimize treatment strategies for children with cancer. The long-term goal of this research is to expand knowledge of the genomic signature of different pediatric cancers, with the ultimate goal of being able to design personalized cures for every cancer patient. A greater understanding of the mechanics of cancer genomes will not only guide patient treatment, but also aid in the development of new molecular diagnostic tests to screen children who may be at risk of developing cancer, so that the disease can be detected before it has a chance to take hold.

Ongoing research in the Li Laboratory is focused on building a database of genomic profiles for various types of pediatric cancer (and in the process, potentially redefining the categories of cancer types). To this end, extensive optimization of the methodologies involved in genomic profiling – gene panel sequencing, whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and transcriptome sequencing – is currently underway.

The Li Laboratory is also involved in developing cell-free DNA technology, also known as liquid biopsy methods, to reduce the need for invasive tissue biopsies as well as provide a solution for those tumors where such biopsies are not possible. This method of non-invasive sampling also carries a good deal of potential for cancer screening.