The objective of the group will be to investigate the formation, maintenance and consequences of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in cancer using cutting edge single-cell screening and spatial technologies. ecDNA leads to high amplification of oncogenes or genes involved in drug resistance under selective pressures and has a prominent role in cancer heterogeneity. The overarching goal will be to identify druggable targets that reduce ecDNA abundance in cancer – and hence ablating a potent tool of genetic heterogeneity and a powerhorse of drug resistance in cancer.