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March 16, 2000

PNC endows molecular oncology research at Pitt

The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) has received an endowment of $200,000 from the PNC Bank Foundation to support research in molecular oncology in the newly established PNC Molecular Oncology Laboratory.

The lab will be located in the Hillman Cancer Center, Shadyside, which is slated to open in early 2002.

"PNC is proud to add its support to the Hillman Cancer Center, which we believe is an important regional asset that will greatly enhance the delivery of this critical health care in the United States and beyond," said Sy Holzer, president of PNC Bank-Pittsburgh and chair of the UPCI Council. "This endowment will contribute to what is rapidly becoming a world-class institution, and we are proud to be part of the research conducted by the many dedicated professionals of UPCI regarding the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer."

Ronald B. Herberman, director of UPCI, Hillman Professor of Oncology and associate vice chancellor for research, Health Sciences, said: "This gift will help us expand our research in the area of molecular oncology, a field that has become remarkably exciting in the past several years, as virtually all types of cancer have been shown to be caused by abnormalities in the genes of certain cells."

The Molecular and Cellular Oncology Program at UPCI brings together an array of scientists at Pitt's School of Medicine and researchers from the departments of biological sciences at the University and Carnegie Mellon.

The multi-disciplinary group is led by Paul Robbins, associate professor of molecular genetics and biochemistry, and Donald DeFranco, professor of biological sciences, neuroscience and pharmacology. The team performs research on the difference in gene structure and expression between cancerous and normal cells and investigates how abnormalities at the genetic level result in the malfunction of cells. The research holds promise for more sensitive and specific tests for early diagnosis of cancer and for innovative approaches to prevent and treat the disease.

The PNC Bank Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in the areas of community development, health and human services, culture and arts, education and civic activities. As the third largest corporate foundation in Pennsylvania, the foundation's 1999 allocations totaled more than $10 million.


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