Cell Cycle and Cancer Genetics

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Cell Cycle and Cancer Genetics - Research at Peter Mac

The Cell Cycle and Cancer Genetics Laboratory investigates the fundamental role of tissue organisation and asymmetry on cancer progression with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic strategies.

Research focus

Cell biology and genetic analysis of cell polarity protein function in 3D epithelial cell culture models. Generation and analysis of Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs) to investigate role of polarity proteins in cancer progression and organ development in vivo. Analysis of cell polarity proteins and gene alterations in human cancers. Large Scale RNAi functional screens to identify effectors of Scribble function. Collaborative analysis of tissue polarity in cancer and development with the Russell and Richardson laboratories.

Research overview

The Cell Cycle and Cancer Genetics Laboratory has developed a program of research focused on understanding how maintenance of the architecture of tissue and the polarity of cells within a tissue regulates cell number and behaviour in vivo. This is a collaborative effort between our group and the laboratories of Drs Richardson’s (Cell Cycle and Development) and Russell’s (Immune Signalling) at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. We seek to utilise information obtained from Drosophila genetic screens and mammalian functional screens to apply to mammalian epithelial and T cell biology and to the study of human cancer. Our laboratory’s initial studies have determined that human homologues of Drosophila polarity genes such as Scribble operate similarly in mammalian epithelial systems to prevent tumour formation. We are examining how polarity proteins such as Scribble regulate tumourigenesis and examining how their disruption in human cancer relates to patient prognosis. In addition, we are using information gleaned from Drosophila studies as well as our biochemical, genetic and cellular analyses to understand how polarity proteins interact in cellular signalling and tumour progression. A better molecular understanding of how tissue architecture and polarity are disrupted in cancer should lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.