Germline and Somatic Microsatellite Genotypes in Pediatric Brain Tumors

We hypothesize that a permissive genetic environment is created by the cooperation of DNA microsatellite repeat elements affecting the transcriptional and translational landscape of an individual, making them susceptible to tumor formation through modulation of foundational cellular processes. We have used germline sequencing and our innovative microsatellite genotyping software to construct and validate a microsatellite genotype signature with the ability to classify medulloblastoma from control subjects with a high degree of accuracy. We will next expand this effort to identify microsatellite variations specific to other types of pediatric brain tumors.