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WELCOME TO THE DREW LAB
Learn more about the research being performed by Dr. David A. Drew, his lab, and the MGH Clinical & Translational Epidemiology Unit Biobank
RESEARCH
Specific Areas of Interest
Our lab focuses on translating epidemiological and clinical observations into biological mechanisms for disease that may be leveraged for precision medicine biomarker development.
CTEU BIOBANK / EPICORE
It is the mission of the CTEU Biobank to assist researchers within the CTEU performing clinical trials to provide clinical research coordination, wide-ranging biorepository support, and downstream biological specimen handling and preparation to rapidly advance proposed analyses. Out of this effort, we launched the EPICORE service for investigators within the MGH Department of Medicine. For more information visit the EPICORE website.
ASPIRIN CHEMOPREVENTION
We have developed several translational approaches and a robust biobank of patient-derived biopsecimens from individuals at risk for colorectal cancer as a part of the ASPIRED randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
COVID SYMPTOM TRACKER
Through a unique industry-academia collaboration, we have launched the COVID Symptom Tracker smartphone app in the US, UK and Sweden to better understand the global COVID-19 pandemic. This real-time epidemiology tool allows us to identify hotspots according to symptom reporting by users.
THE GUT MICROBIOME
Our lab aims to understand microbial determinants of human health using whole-shotgun meta'omics (metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, and metabolomes) derived from human fecal samples. Specific projects aim to understand microbially-mediated mechanisms of chemoprevention or immunotherapy-related adverse events.
EARLY DETECTION ANDÂ INTERCEPTION OF CANCER
Our lab and biobank aims to develop novel tools, approaches, and clinical paradigms to improve early detection and interception of cancer and precancers through the development of molecular-based imaging agents and circulating/stool based biomarkers. This effort is strongly supported by two Stand Up To Cancer grants.
UNDERSTANDING PERSONALIZED RESPONSES TO FOOD
Our lab is now a part of two of the largest efforts to ever attempt to understand individual metabolic responses to food through the PREDICT family of studies and as the New England Clinical Center as a part of the NIH Common Fund's Nutrition for Precision Health, Powered by the All of Us Research Program
TEAM PROSPECT: Pathways, Risk factors, and mOleculeS to Prevent Early-onset Colorectal Tumors
We are pleased to support Team PROSPECT with Dr. Drew as a Future Leader on the Cancer Grand Challenges Team. The team aims to address the global rise in the incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) by understanding the pathways, risk factors and molecules involved in its development. The team’s collective vision is to understand and ultimately reverse the network of causal factors throughout the life course that disrupts biological homeostasis to promote EOCRC.
PRECISION PREVENTION OF COLORECTAL CANCERS WITH INCRETIN MIMETICS
Our lab seeks to expand our understanding of promising epidemiologic findings suggesting that anti-obesity drugs, namely incretin mimetics (GLP1 or GIP/GLP1 receptor agonists), are protective for colorectal cancer. In collaboration with the Division of Gastroenterology and the MGB Weight Center, we are launching the PREVENT-IN-TIME observational clinical study to determine causal relationships between these drugs and risk of colorectal cancer.
