The major research areas of this department include screening of genes related to cancer metastasis and understanding of mechanisms underlying metastasis.

The department has undertaken a number of research programs supported by National Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Research and Education of Tianjin including: “Multiparameter Molecular Markers of One Thousand Breast Cancers for Prognosis and Therapy Response” and “Identification of Metastasis Prediction Genes of Breast Cancer with Microarray Technology.”.