Research in the Liliana Florea Lab applies computational techniques toward modeling and problem solving in biology and genetic medicine. We work to develop computational methods for analyzing large-scale sequencing data to help characterize molecular mechanisms of diseases. The specific application areas of our research include genome analysis and comparison, cDNA-to-genome alignment, gene and alternative splicing annotation, RNA editing, microbial comparative genomics, miRNA genomics and computational vaccine design. Our most recent studies seek to achieve accurate and efficient RNA-seq correction and explore the role of HCV viral miRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Foda lab conducts basic, translational, and clinical research on the early detection, prevention, and interception of gastrointestinal cancers. In collaboration with the other member of the Johns Hopkins Cancer Genomics Lab (https://cancergenomicslab.com/), the group develops and applies whole-genome sequencing-based liquid biopsy methods for the early detection and monitoring of gastrointestinal cancers. These approaches are tested and validated in large multi-national cohorts through international collaborations. Dr. Foda directs the Johns Hopkins Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registry, which facilitates clinical research related to Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Lynch syndrome, and other hereditary polyposis conditions.