Like most of you reading this blog I didn’t study science or medicine. Also, like most of you reading this blog, I do understand that cancer is a disease of the DNA. Our genomes (genes) and proteomics (proteins) are the building blocks of our bodies. When our DNA mutates in an uncontrollable way then cancer results. This is a “way simple” explanation of cancer but you get the idea. Mutating genes are what cancer is all about. So, as our fantastic Dr. Ben Neel says so frequently, cancer is a disease of the genome. It strikes me that our genes, our DNA, is a lot like software. I didn’t come up with this insight and I forget who mentioned this to me. But this insight of the comparison of DNA to software is a good one. Our “operating system” source code is found in our DNA. Like software with a virus, things go wrong when our genes somehow mutate…..when we are struck by the software equivalent of “bad code” or “a virus”. Somehow this comparison both helps me understand cancer better but also gives me ideas about how the parallel universe of computer science and medical science can benefit from closer collaboration. We are fortunate to have some incredible mathematical “big brains” at PMH who do mathematical modeling of cancer and physicists and others who are experts in computer science and biomathematical modeling. So our DNA is a lot like software. Perhaps as we move forward in our quest for more “Personalized Cancer Medicine” we will gain insights into cancer from software engineers! As you are sitting or walking or swimming or boating or riding this Canada Day weekend, be thankful if your “software” is without mutations. Take heart in how many places we can find inspiration and lessons on our journey to “Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime”! Happy and Healthy Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July to our American friends!