The Molecular Epidemiology Group of the American Association for Cancer Research (MEG/AACR)

Rationale for the Establishment of MEG/AACR

Recent advances in molecular techniques and an understanding of disease etiology at the molecular level have enabled researchers to study the determinants of disease risk from a new and different multidisciplinary perspective. In order to understand the role of genetic and environmental factors in disease etiology and to exploit this information for the development of preventive strategies, the design of molecular epidemiologic studies must be founded on strong epidemiologic and biologic principles. The emergence of the rapidly growing field of molecular epidemiology has provided researchers with extraordinary opportunities and challenges in the application of new findings from the laboratory to population-based epidemiologic studies. The goals of the field of molecular epidemiology require ongoing communication and interactions among researchers in a number of different disciplines, e.g., epidemiology, molecular biology and genetics, biochemistry, toxicology, diet and nutrition, clinical and translational research, pathology, and biostatistics, among others. Further, these scientists are conducting their research in various work settings, i.e., the laboratory, clinic, and public health arenas.

There are few opportunities for laboratory and clinical scientists to explore fundamental principles of study design and interpretation of data from molecular epidemiologic research. Knowledge of advances in molecular biology, molecular genetics, and biochemistry, as well as an understanding of their application to molecular epidemiologic studies, is a prerequisite for epidemiologists embarking on these studies. Unfortunately, at present, there is no regular forum or consolidated venue for researchers from relevant disciplines to meet, to network and exchange information, to stimulate new thinking about the field, and to accelerate progress.

The Molecular Epidemiology Group of the American Association for Cancer Research, named MEG/AACR, will serve as the vehicle for regular communication and interactions among national and international researchers from the above-mentioned diverse fields. Its formation will promote the education and training of junior scientists in the field and it will also expose senior scientists to new information and techniques. In a global sense it will facilitate the development of an integrated approach to molecular epidemiology which is needed in the field. It is anticipated that, by working together on salient problems and issues in molecular epidemiology, the members of MEG/AACR will expedite the development of creative strategies and new insights into cancer and chronic disease etiology and prevention.

Mission Statement

The Molecular Epidemiology Group of the AACR (MEG/AACR) is dedicated to a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of cancer and chronic disease etiology. MEG/AACR promotes the incorporation of molecular and biochemical concepts and techniques into well-designed epidemiologic studies by providing an ongoing forum for the scholarly discussion and development of sound approaches to the conduct and interpretation of molecular epidemiologic studies; by sponsoring scientific and educational programs and activities that will advance the field; and by fostering partnerships and collaborations among scientists in a variety of disciplines encompassed in and related to molecular epidemiology. MEG/AACR is a Scientific Working Group of epidemiologists, molecular biologists and geneticists, biochemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, clinical and translational researchers, pathologists, biostatisticians, ethicists and researchers from any other relevant scientific discipline who are interested in working together to increase knowledge about cancer and chronic disease etiology, thereby promoting the cure and prevention of cancer and the improvement of public health.