The overall goal of the Genomic Epidemiology Branch (GEM) is to improve the understanding of cancer onset and survival, and to improve early detection of cancer. With a strong foundation in germline genetics, GEM applies a range of genomic and observational epidemiological techniques. This work is facilitated by expertise developed in multiple areas, ranging from fieldwork to state-of-the-art genomic analysis, complemented by bioinformatics and biostatistics. Many of GEM’s projects build upon a large network of international partners, and they often involve coordinating consortia of case–control and cohort studies from around the world.