PHILADELPHIA (February 12, 2025) — Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Johnathan Whetstine, PhD, Director of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute, recently joined the editorial board of Genes & Development, a leading, not-for-profit scientific journal that focuses on significant biological advances.
“Genes & Development is known for publishing innovative research and ranking among the top research journals in science. I am thrilled to be joining this group of dedicated leading scientists as part of the editorial board for such an impactful journal,” said Whetstine. “I look forward to contributing to the publication of important discoveries that brings the fields of epigenetics, development, and diseases like cancer to the readership.”
Genes & Development publishes high-quality research covering broad topics of scientific interest and biological significance in the areas of molecular biology, molecular genetics, aging, cancer biology, and related fields.
It is one of the top five research journals in the field of molecular biology and genetics and is published in association with The Genetics Society, the world’s first society dedicated to the study and mechanisms of inheritance. In 2023, Genes & Development ranked in the top 4% of journals publishing developmental biology papers and in the top 10% of journals publishing cell biology papers.
Whetstine was recruited to Fox Chase in December of 2018 and is the Jack Schultz Chair in Basic Science. He currently is the inaugural Director of the Cancer Epigenetics Institute. In addition, he is Co-Leader of the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Research Program and Director of the Genomics Resource at Fox Chase.
His laboratory has been studying how epigenetic regulation creates genomic and transcriptional heterogeneity through regulating DNA replication. He established that chromatin factors are capable of regulating DNA replication timing and driving extrachromosomal DNA amplification and rearrangements at specific sites within the genome. These amplified regions are affiliated with aggressive tumors and drug resistance. His lab’s discoveries have changed the perception of how DNA replication is regulated and how to impact this key feature of cancer and other diseases.
Among many professional leadership activities, Whetstine has led and organized international meetings related to epigenetics and human disease. He has received invitations to speak at major conferences and institutions. In addition to his newest role on the Genes & Development editorial board, he serves on other journal advisory boards and serves as a reviewer for a number of elite peer-reviewed journals and research-funding organizations.
Whetstine has been recognized with key lectures and awards throughout his career, including keynote addresses, the Danny Thomas Lectureship, the Lung Cancer Discovery Award from the American Lung Association, and the Innovation Award from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, among others. He is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.