Oncogenes are genes with the potential of causing cancer. Human oncogenes were first discovered by multiple US research teams in 1981. One research team consisted of Prof. Robert Weinberg at the Centre for Cancer Research which is part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Another one was that of Dr. Geoffrey Cooper at the Sydney Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston.
Oncogenes do not generate cancer by themselves, but do so under the influence of carcinogens, or ionising radiations. Research has isolated cancer genes associated with cancer of different parts like colon, bladder, and kidneys.
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