Dr. Bharati Bapat brought her genetics expertise to Mount Sinai
Hospital and the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in 1991,
and introduced molecular diagnostics to the team. Today, Mount
Sinai Hospital is a leader in this field, thanks to Dr.
In the research lab, Dr. Bapat focuses on uncovering the causes of
colorectal, bladder and prostate cancer by taking an epigenetic
approach. The field of epigenetics examines changes in gene
function that do not disrupt the underlying DNA sequence, but are
instead a reversible change. (Genetics, on the other hand, studies
permanent mutations in genetic function.) DNA methylation is a
naturally occurring process that can cause an impermanent change in a
Each tumor is expected to have its own unique pattern or
'signature' of DNA methylation. By studying changes in DNA
methylation, Dr. Bapat aims to generate knowledge that will contribute
to better and more accurate therapies for cancers. One of Dr.
Bapat's new projects involves the use of an innovative profiling
technique to screen the genomes of prostate cancer patients at various
stages of progression. This process will reveal genetic markers to help
pathologists, oncologists and urologists better understand a
patient's prognosis, and ultimately determine optimal treatment on
a case-by-case basis.
Recently, Dr. Bapat's team conducted a large study of colon
cancer patients from six international registries, in which patients
had one of two distinct genetic types of tumours. Results suggest a
complex interplay between genetic mutations and environmental factors.
Her additional research on the interaction between genes and
environmental influence (specifically, the effects of diet and alcohol)
includes a recent study of 1,000 Canadian patients with colon cancer,
in which changes to the ApoE pathway were investigated.
Another aspect of Dr. Bapat's more recent work focuses on the
development of non-invasive diagnostic tests for cancers. It has
already been proven that DNA methylation tied to prostate cancer can be
detected in a urine sample, which could not only replace the need for
invasive tumour biopsies, but also open the door to a world of
potential in preventative medicine. Dr. Bapat's lab is
already testing urine and blood samples to detect epigenetic signatures
that will avoid (or minimize) some surgical procedures in the future.
The development of more non-invasive tests like this one will transform
the way patients receive care and the way physicians make