Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is a condition that arises in some patients with chronic reflux (heartburn) and increases the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. However, the exact mechanisms involved in its development are unknown. This project aims to investigate how a protein called sonic hedgehog might be involved using novel cell culturing techniques that allow us to model the growth of oesophageal tissue in the laboratory. This could lead to development of new therapies for treating BO.