[Math] Algebra and cancer research

Question

Let me start by acknowledging the existence of this thread: Mathematics and cancer research

It is well-known that mathematical modeling and computational biology are effective tools in cancer research. When I started college and declared the math major, this was the direction I envisioned myself pursuing. However, I quickly fell in love with algebra, number theory, and "pure" math.

Are there any ways for an algebraist to contribute to cancer research?

I've recently learned that algebraic geometry has been useful in studying phylogenetic trees in evolutionary biology, so while I cannot even imagine what an affirmative answer to my question might look like, I am hopeful that one exists.

Answer 1

You might like to look at this paper:

• Monica Nicolau, Arnold J. Levine, and Gunnar Carlsson, Topology based data analysis identifies a subgroup of breast cancers with a unique mutational profile and excellent survival, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, February 2011.

There is also a lot of other stuff by the same group at http://comptop.stanford.edu

Only a small proportion involves biology, but that might be enough for you.

You might also like to look at the work of Maria-Grazia Ascenzi:

http://ortho.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=218&ref=39

Her PhD is in mathematics but her current work is in biomedical science. I have heard that she is interested in applying algebraic geometry but I do not know the details.