Synthetic Lethality Screen Targeting A Defective Checkpoint In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,121.00
Summary
All cancers have defects in the mechanisms that regulate normal cell growth and division. These defects provide a growth advantage for the cancer, but can also be an Achilles Heel. In this project we will investigate targeting a defective control mechanism we found in a high proportion of melanomas. We will identify genes that when inhibited combine with the defective control to specifically kill tumour cells with this defect. Normal tissue is protected by its intact regulatory mechanism.
Role Of The Inositol Polyphosphate 4-phosphatase Type 2 In Human Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,032.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most invasive cancer in females, affecting 1 in 9 women before the age of 85. Normally cells only divide when they receive a stimulus from a hormone or growth factor. The PI3K pathway responds to these stimuli and has been implicated in cancer when cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissue. We have identified a potential cancer suppressing gene, 4-ptase-2 that turns off the PI3K growth signals. We aim to characterize the role of 4-ptase-2 in breast cancer.