Tom O'Brien Senior Scientist: Cell Regulation Profile | Education/Background | Top Scientific Papers | Awards & Honors

"I joined Genentech at the end of 2006 in the newly formed department of Global Regulators. Moving to Genentech offered me the possibility of combining my knowledge of small molecule drug discovery with cutting-edge biological research to develop novel oncology therapeutics. In addition, given Genentech's commitment and success in bringing new biological therapeutics though extensive clinical trials and ultimately to patients, I was very excited about the possibility of contributing to a similar effort in small molecule drug discovery."

Current Projects "Our current research is centered on supporting several ongoing small molecule drug discovery programs in the area of cell cycle regulation. For example, Genentech currently has a small molecule inhibitor of the DNA repair enzyme Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) undergoing clinical trials. Our role in research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biology of this enzyme and its role in repair of DNA damage. Detailed biological knowledge of PARP-1 and its regulation is important to help support our small molecule discovery efforts and will also provide critical information to help inform and focus our clinical strategy. Additionally, we currently provide research support to another program that is targeting an important protein that modulates cell cycle control. As we move forward, it is our goal to utilize state-of-the-art technology and biological approaches to dissect therapeutically important pathways with the aim of identifying new targets to include in our expanding pipeline."

Collaborations "Since small molecule drug discovery requires an extremely collaborative environment we interact with many different groups within Genentech. For example, we collaborate on a daily basis with groups that include crystallography, molecular biology, biochemical pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, translational research, pathology, and clinicians. In addition, Genentech has an impressive track record of collaborating with external academic organizations, and thus we are also looking to initiate collaborations with leading researchers in areas of interest to our group. Finally, we have ongoing external collaborations with other companies which have played an important role in advancing some of our small molecule discovery programs. The ability to have interactions with such diverse groups in a research program on a day-to-day basis is a very unique and rewarding experience."

Inspiration/Vision "My vision is to utilize and apply my research to help ongoing programs develop better and more effective drugs, and to help identify and validate new clinically important targets. Genentech is a very rare company as it has an extraordinary depth of knowledge in basic science along with the infrastructure to advance novel therapeutics into clinical trials and ultimately to make them available to the patients that need them. My ultimate goal is to be part of a team that will develop novel oncology drugs that will have a significant impact on patient survival and quality of life."