Dr. Trent is the Chief of the Work in his laboratory focuses on the study of genetic changes related to cancer predisposition and progression. Recently his research has focused on the genetic susceptibility to human prostate cancer. Other work in his laboratory has been focused upon relating the recent advances in both molecular biology and cancer genetics and the valuable tools of the Human Genome Project for the study of human oncogenesis. This has included the development of technologies for analyzing the expression patterns of genes using cDNA microarray technology.

Additionally, current research in his laboratory is focusing on the isolation and cloning of specific chromosomal breakpoints, coupled with the identification and study of the products of these genes, which is providing an exciting avenue for future research. The central viewpoint underlying research in this laboratory is that genetic abnormalities represent the critical events important to the genesis and progression of human neoplasia. In addition to prostate cancer, his laboratory does work in malignant melanoma, ovarian and breast carcinoma. Studies have ranged from the utilization of flourescent genotyping for genome-wide scans, microcell-mediated chromosome transfer, genomic mapping using fluorescence in situ hybridization, numerous genomic strategies for positional cloning, and recently, the development of chromosome microdissection and cDNA microarray technology. Accordingly, the spectrum of activities in this laboratory ranges from chromosome-banding analysis of tumors through molecular studies of gene function.