Normally cells only divide when they receive a stimulus from a hormone or growth factor. The PI3-kinase pathway responds to these stimuli and has been implicated in cellular immunity as well as cancer which occurs when cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues. We have identified a putative oncogene (cancer causing gene) called MTMR4 that appears to regulate cell growth-invasion and pathogen invasion of immune cells. We aim to characterise the role of MTMR4 in these systems.
Proteins form up to 25% of our diet. The first step in protein absorption is the digestion of protein into smaller units called peptides and amino acids. Both components are subsequently taken up by specialised cells in the wall of the intestine. In this project we plan to study how protein absorption occurs at the surface of these intestinal cells and investigate why this process fails in malabsorption syndromes, where the uptake of amino acids is impaired.