A Novel Mechanism For Sustained Proliferation Of Cancer Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,881.00
Summary
We have found that some tumours use a previously unknown strategy for evading the normal limits on cellular proliferation. We will analyse the molecular details of this mechanism in order to (i) understand how it works, (ii) devise a diagnostic test, and (iii) lay the foundations for developing treatments that specifically target this type of cancer.
Activation Of TERT Gene Expression In Breast Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$693,440.00
Summary
A key step in the development of most cancers is the switching on of an enzyme, telomerase, that allows cancer cells to keep growing without limit. We will study the molecular details of this step using new techniques for functional analyses of the genome in human breast cells grown in the laboratory. Blocking telomerase has great potential for cancer treatment, so analysing how this enzyme gets switched on may identify new strategies for achieving this for breast cancer - and other cancers.