Two Vancouver researchers are tackling the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in Canada, using a brand new field of genomics called computational chemogenomics. This new approach uses computer modeling in virtual 3D to predict how different chemicals or drugs will affect cancer tumours. The project, titled “Methods of Chemical Genomics” has received $324,000 in funding, with $161,500 from Genome BC and the rest from other partners including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Vancouver Prostate Centre. “This type of ‘virtual screening’ is expected to shave years off the typical discovery process for new drug candidates and will allow scientists to identify and test the most promising chemical compounds more rapidly,” says Dr. Rennie of the Vancouver Prostate Centre.
