Knowledge Bank

The purpose of this study was to produce a computational

model that can simulate the evolution of cancer. It is well

known that cancerous cells result from accumulated mutations

in genes that cause the cells to divide much more frequently

than ordinary cells. Previous simulations that this model is

based on have used hypothetical sets of genes. What sets the

model presented in this study apart is that it uses genomes

from melanoma cases to predict how much a cell with a certain

set of mutations will divide. Since the model is based on real

world data instead of theoretical genes it should produce a

much more accurate model. Hopefully, this model will be able

to provide a better understanding of how cancers develop over

time and will help determine which genes are significant in

various types of cancer. This model can potentially be used to

determine which genes to target with drugs.