Genetics professor to investigate breast cancer mortality disparities

Genetics professor to investigate breast cancer mortality disparities

Melissa Davis, assistant professor of genetics in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, received $385,688 from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the disparities of breast cancer mortality in African-Americans compared to European Americans.

The study will determine if DARC or Duffy antigen/chemokine receptor tumor expression is associated with ancestry and immune response. The results will have implications for developing prognostic and therapeutic targets for personalized medicine.