One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is their ability to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Specific proteins that make up the skeleton of cells (cytoskeleton) play an important part in the cell division process and as such make extremely important targets for anticancer therapy. Our research is developing ways to best target cell division proteins so that we can make drug resistant cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy.
I am a cancer molecular and cell biologist determining the mechanisms of anticancer drug action and resistance in both childhood and adult malignancies. My research involves the development and investigation of both in vivo and in vitro models of resistan
Role Of A Novel Tks5-Nck Signaling Pathway In Cancer Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,434.00
Summary
Invasion and metastasis are major causes of death in cancer patients. Our research has uncovered a pathway that increases the invasive potential of tumour cells in vitro. We now aim to determine if the pathway is relevant in invasion and metastasis in clinically relevant models; how a drug targeting the pathway affects invasion and; the extent to which the pathway is active in human tumours. These studies may identify a new molecular target for anti-invasive drugs.