Somatic mutations cause many types of diseases such as cancers. This project aims to unravel the determinants of how somatic mutations arise by developing state-of-the-art machine learning tools and investigating the genomes of >10,000 human tumors across multiple tumor types. As a result we will deliver models of somatic mutagenesis in cancer of unprecedented detail and accuracy, with models representing over 50,000,000 somatic mutations. These models will reveal genetic and epigenetic factors which influence mutational processes, shedding light on the complex interaction of genetic and environmental causes of mutations. Importantly, we will able to develop diagnostic and prognostic tools, which will be translated to clinical practice at the Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center. These tools will substantially improve the healthcare and quality of life for cancer patients in Finland and worldwide.

2019

2024