Investigating tumour development and metastasis using a novel Drosophila cancer model. [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Anthony Brumby (Principal investigator)

Brief description The majority of cancers are derived from epithelial cells. The primary cause of cancer related deaths is due to the ability of these epithelial cancer cells to migrate and invade other tissues within the body away from their primary tissue of origin (metastasise). This proposal seeks to understand the pathways that are important in regulating the processes of epithelial cell migration and invasion that are instrumental in promoting the metastatic spread of tumour cells. As controls usually operate to induce cell death in any cell that attempts to break away and invade other tissues, this proposal also seeks to understand some of the pathways that are responsible for causing these cells to die. To carry out these investigations we have developed a novel Drosophila model of epithelial cancer development. We use this model because of the ease with which it is possible to carry out complex genetic analyses and so dissect the roles of the many different signalling pathways involved in these processes. The strength of the model is that it is dependent upon genetic alterations that are also implicated in the development and metastatic spread of many mammalian cancers, namely activating mutations in two genes, Ras and Notch. It is expected, therefore, to offer considerable insight into why these activated genes also cause the spread of cancer cells in humans.

Funding Amount $AUD 505,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes New Investigator Grant