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    Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments
    Online Program

    Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments

    by Polygence

    Explore cancer biology and treatments through mentor-led discussions, then write a literature review using primary research papers.

    Last verified: 10 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Cells Gone Rogue at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    No prerequisites; parental supervision under 18

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 13+

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $495

    Duration

    6 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next application deadline

    10 November 2026

    Save deadline
    BiologyMedicineArtificial Intelligence
    Sessions / cadence: 6×1-hour Wednesdays; 1–2+ hours independent work/week
    Mentor model: Expert-led small group
    Assessment style: Literature review and group presentations
    Main deliverable / output: 1–3-page article or report
    Time-zone / scheduling model: Wednesdays, 8pm EST / 5pm PST
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Class size: 2–6 students

    Cells Gone Rogue summary

    Polygence’s cancer-biology Pod connects the science of DNA damage and cell division with treatment resistance, metastasis, and emerging therapies.

    Students combine mentor-led discussions with an individual treatment review using primary research papers, plus collaborative group presentations.

    It suits students testing an interest in biomedical science who want guided reading and writing practice before a more independent research project.

    What is Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments?

    Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments is a structured Polygence Pod exploring how cancer develops and how treatments work. Its curriculum connects the cell cycle and DNA replication with mutations, treatment resistance, and metastasis.

    Students learn through online lectures and group discussion guided by an expert mentor. Each student reviews a treatment for a cancer they choose, drawing on at least two primary research papers, while group presentations add a collaborative element.

    Why Succeed highlights Cells Gone Rogue

    • The curriculum connects fundamental cell biology with treatment decisions, making the relationship between mechanisms and medicine concrete.

    • Using at least two primary research papers gives students a practical introduction to scientific literature.

    • The written review provides a focused outcome rather than relying on attendance alone.

    • Small-group discussions and presentations let students practice explaining science to others.

    • Precision medicine and AI in drug design extend the course beyond an introduction to cancer.

    Who is Cells Gone Rogue for?

    Best for

    Students curious about cancer, medicine, or genetics who want a structured introduction to reading research and explaining treatment ideas.

    Not ideal if

    Your main goal is hands-on laboratory work or a fully individual research project; this course centers on group learning and a literature review.

    Is Cells Gone Rogue worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want to turn an interest in cancer into a clearer understanding of its biology and treatments. The combination of guided discussion and primary-paper reading gives you a specific way to practice scientific thinking and communication.

    Its value depends on doing the independent reading and writing between sessions. A short literature review is a useful starting point, but it offers a different experience from conducting laboratory experiments or developing a fully independent research study.

    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $495; includes Six one-hour expert-led group sessions., Lectures and group discussions., Course materials and session recordings., Online Pod workspace., Individual literature-review work and group presentations..

    Dates and time commitment

    6 weeks; 6×1-hour Wednesdays; 1–2+ hours independent work/week.

    Provider details

    Review the Polygence provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: The main deliverable is a 1–3-page article or report reviewing a treatment for a cancer you choose.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Cells Gone Rogue need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with one live hour and at least 1–2 independent hours weekly.

    Best started

    Begin preparing one to two weeks before your selected cohort starts.

    Main challenge

    Turning technical research findings into a clear, focused explanation.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic ideas about cells, DNA, and mutations to make the opening sessions easier to follow.

    • Reserve a regular weekly reading and writing slot alongside the live class.

    • List cancer types or treatment approaches that interest you, then refine your choice during the course.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in biomedical research before a larger project.

    What do students do on Cells Gone Rogue?

    You work through a structured sequence of cancer-biology topics with a mentor and peers. Alongside the sessions, you read research papers and develop a focused review of a treatment for a cancer you choose.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Discuss cancer hallmarks, the cell cycle, DNA replication, and mutations.

    2. 2

      Explore how cancer resists treatment and spreads to other organs.

    3. 3

      Compare treatment approaches, precision medicine, and AI-assisted drug development.

    4. 4

      Choose a cancer treatment and incorporate at least two primary papers into your review.

    5. 5

      Complete your 1–3-page article or report and collaborate on group presentations.

    Cells Gone Rogue dates and deadlines

    July Monday cohort application deadline

    12 July 2026

    Past

    July Wednesday cohort application deadline

    14 July 2026

    Past

    August cohort application deadline

    19 August 2026

    Past

    November cohort application deadline

    10 November 2026

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    July Monday cohort

    13 July-17 August 2026

    Mondays, 8:00pm EDT / 5:00pm PDT; one-hour sessions.

    Past

    July Wednesday cohort

    15 July-19 August 2026

    Wednesdays, 8:30pm EDT / 5:30pm PDT; one-hour sessions.

    Past

    August cohort

    20 August-24 September 2026

    Thursdays, 9:00pm EDT / 6:00pm PDT; one-hour sessions.

    Past

    November cohort

    11 November-16 December 2026

    Wednesdays, 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST; one-hour sessions.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • At least 13 years old under provider service terms.

    • Parental or guardian supervision is required for students under 18.

    • No prerequisites or previous research experience are required.

    • Enroll at least one day before your selected cohort starts.

    How much does Cells Gone Rogue cost?

    Program fee

    $495 — Tuition is paid upfront during enrollment.

    What's included

    Six one-hour expert-led group sessions., Lectures and group discussions., Course materials and session recordings., Online Pod workspace., Individual literature-review work and group presentations.

    How to apply to Cells Gone Rogue

    1. 1

      Visit the cancer-biology Pod page and choose your cohort.

    2. 2

      Confirm that the published weekly session time works for you.

    3. 3

      Complete the enrollment flow and pay tuition upfront at least one day before the cohort starts.

    4. 4

      Use your enrollment-confirmation email and the workspace link sent seven days before the first session.

    5. 5

      Review the course expectations and introduce yourself in the Pod workspace.

    Next step with Succeed

    Interested in this programme?

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    Succeed replies first, usually within a working day

    Learning format

    The course combines six weekly one-hour live sessions with lectures, group discussion, and at least 1–2 hours of independent work each week. The November cohort meets on Wednesdays at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST, with materials and Zoom recordings available in the online workspace.

    Assignment workloads vary by week, and students are responsible for catching up on missed work.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Carly, a Duke University PhD in Biochemistry, leads the November cohort.

    • An assigned expert mentor guides the curriculum and group discussions.

    • Groups contain 2–6 students.

    • The platform workspace supports resource sharing and communication between sessions.

    • The mentor greets students when the workspace becomes accessible before class.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The November cohort meets Wednesdays at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST.
    • Each live session lasts one hour at the cohort’s fixed time.
    • Enrollment confirms that the published session time works for you.
    • Plan at least 1–2 additional hours for independent work each week.
    • Recordings and materials support catch-up when a session is missed.

    Tech requirements

    • Use a computer with internet access or a compatible mobile device.

    • Set up an account for the Polygence platform.

    • Use the Pod workspace for course materials and session recordings.

    Assessment style

    Learning centers on an individual literature review, collaborative group presentations, and discussion rather than grades or tests.

    • Write a review of a treatment for a cancer you choose.
    • Incorporate at least two primary research papers.
    • Complete assignments between sessions.
    • Collaborate with peers on group presentations.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    The main deliverable is a 1–3-page article or report reviewing a treatment for a cancer you choose.

    • Use at least two primary research papers in your treatment review.

    • Develop group presentations through collaboration with peers.

    Cells Gone Rogue FAQs

    The course covers cancer hallmarks, the cell cycle, DNA replication and mutations, treatment resistance, metastasis, precision medicine, and AI in drug development.

    No prerequisites or previous experience are required for Polygence Pods. The course introduces both cancer biology and the fundamentals of reading and writing research papers.

    Students attend one one-hour session each week and should expect at least 1–2 hours of independent work weekly. Assignment workloads can vary from week to week.

    Each student writes a 1–3-page article or report reviewing a treatment for a cancer they choose, using at least two primary research papers. The course also includes collaborative group presentations.

    The November cohort is taught by Carly, who holds a Duke University PhD in Biochemistry. The course lists a group size of 2–6 students.

    Materials and Zoom recordings are available for catching up. Students remain responsible for reviewing missed lectures and discussions and completing missed assignments; unattended sessions are not refundable.

    Provider terms allow service use from age 13 and require parental or guardian supervision for students under 18. Students should also plan for weekly independent work alongside the live session.

    Before the first session, students may receive a refund of up to 100%; after withdrawal, sessions that have not run may be refunded. Unattended sessions are not refundable, and the general refund policy deducts a 3.25% processing fee.

    Alternatives to Cells Gone Rogue

    Compare broader medicine study, online research, and campus-based biology options against the focused cancer-treatment review here.

    Alternatives to Cells Gone Rogue

    Introduction to Medicine

    An online introduction to medicine

    Medicine
    Deadline: Not announced
    From $3200
    14-17
    Online
    Online

    Best for

    Students comparing focused cancer biology with broader medical study.

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    Biology Research Institute

    An in-person biology research program

    Biology
    Deadline: Not announced
    From $3500
    14-18
    Winston-Salem
    In-person

    Best for

    Students who prefer studying biology in person.

    View details

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Terms of Use | Polygence
    • Polygence Pods: 6-Week Group Research Programs for High Schoolers | Polygence
    • Frequently Asked Questions about the Polygence Research Program | Polygence
    • Frequently Asked Research Program Questions | Polygence
    • Next Deadline October 15th | Polygence
    • Cancer and Biology Research Program | Polygence

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 10 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Cohort schedules reviewed

    • Weekly workload checked

    • Tuition and payment reviewed

    • Eligibility and supervision reviewed

    • Refund terms reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.