The central mission of the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research is twofold:

  1. To pursue outstanding research programs directed toward understanding the causes and biology of cancer and the factors that regulate normal and neoplastic growth and differentiation.
  2. To provide training of the highest quality in basic cancer research at the graduate and postdoctoral levels.

While these two goals represent the cornerstone of our activities, we also seek to provide undergraduates and medical students with a foundation in basic cancer biology and to serve the public and scientific community through our activities for national and international organizations. You can see more on our training and instruction here.

During the past 75 years, more than 1800 women and men have received pre- and post-doctoral training at McArdle. Many of these alumni now hold faculty positions at universities throughout the United States and abroad, and most of the others are doing research at research institutes or in government or industry laboratories.

The current staff of the McArdle Laboratory numbers approximately 200. The 27 faculty and emeritus faculty lead 22 research groups that include 68 graduate students, 31 postdoctoral fellows, and 45 research specialists or other academic staff. Other members of the laboratory include the administrative and support personnel and many undergraduates who perform both research and support activities.

Recent News

  • McArdle Monthly: April 2026

    McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research April 2026 Publications Abrahams RR, Larsen CIS, Ha R, Majumder K. The interaction between virus-bound KLF4 and host-bound PARP1 directs the localization of wild-type adeno-associated virus type 2 (wtAAV2) to …

  • Miranda Garcia-Dove Receives Prestigious Truman Scholarship

    Alexandra and Bill Dove spent over 50 years carrying out research at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. In addition to their scientific accomplishments, they leave behind a legacy of outreach and connection. Now Bill …

  • McArdle Monthly: March 2026

    McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research  March 2026 Publications Fahl WE, Goesch HR, Goesch SR, Fahl BL. A Defined Patho-Mechanism for Acute Radiation Syndrome Death and a Three-Drug Regimen to Prevent It. Int J Mol Sci. …

  • Night of Hope February 9th 2026

    On February 9th, Verona Area High School Staff and Saturn’s 8 DJs hosted a raffle and trivia night at The Seminole Tap in Fitchburg.  All proceeds benefit the UW McArdle Lab for Cancer Research toward …

  • More News posts

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